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Canada’s economy lost 7,400 jobs in June, far less than expected, even as the country continued to struggle through an economic downturn.

The unemployment rate rose to an 11-year high of 8.6%, up from 8.4% in May, Statistics Canada said Friday.

“Full-time employment continued its downward trend in June, offsetting gains in part-time,” the federal agency said. “Employment was little changed in June, leaving total net losses during the last three months at 13,000, much smaller than the 273,000 decline in the first three months of the year.”

Most economists had expected 35,000 job losses in June, with the unemployment rate rising to 8.7%.

On Thursday, however, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty warned that job losses are likely to continue for the months ahead.

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