The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that the Canadian economy shed almost 25,000 jobs in January as the ailing manufacturing sector and Ontario sustained big employment losses to start the year. The Globe's Vanmala Subramaniam writes that despite the hit, the unemployment rate fell to 6.5 per cent in January -- the lowest level in 16 months -- because fewer people were active participants in the labour market, Statistics Canada said Friday in a report. The job market has been under severe stress over the past year, owing to the U.S.-driven trade war, resulting in layoffs in industries targeted by tariffs, including steel and autos. Moreover, many companies are hesitant to hire new employees because of economic uncertainty. The manufacturing industry shed 28,000 workers in January, while Ontario lost a whopping 67,000 positions. Still, full-time positions jumped by 45,000 last month, and the damage was largely contained to Ontario. TD Bank senior economist Andrew Hencic highlighted the decline in the labour force. "Canada's population is expected to shrink in 2026, meaning a smaller pool of available workers. Under these conditions, the unemployment rate can continue to fall even if Canada is losing jobs."