Employment data just released today by Stats Canada shows Canada had a net employment loss of 34,400 workers in December 2008. 70,700 full-time jobs were lost, while 36,200 new part-time jobs were created, for the net loss of 34,400 jobs. The majority of the lost jobs were from the construction industry as the housing market underperformed. Unemployment rose to 6.6% from 6.3% in November. Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said today “we are going to to expect [more] job losses,” in 2009. Some economists predict the unemployment rate could top 10% by the time the recession is over. It is only expected to get worse before it is going to get better. Please see December labor statistics from the U.S. here.