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OTTAWA — If there’s a pattern developing in Canada’s economy, it looks more patchwork than anything by design.

While we have seen three consecutive monthly gains in employment, many of the jobs have been part-time positions that could fall off at any time. And despite some bright spots in the overall trade outlook, exports still appear raggedy.

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Friday’s figures for both sectors fit the scenario of slow, unsteady growth. That’s something the federal government — now on a stimulus spree — and the Bank of Canada — still offering ultra-cheap credit — hope could soon be on the mend.

“While we could quibble about the quality of the jobs gains, the reality is that the country just knocked down three solid monthly gains in a row for overall employment, and that’s much better than anyone could have expected,” noted Douglas Porter, chief economist at BMO Capital Markets.