Umployment up in April

QUEBEC CITY - Quebec's employment minister says April's unemployment numbers send a message companies must step up efforts to improve competitiveness, by focusing on the quality of their skilled workers.

 Quebec saw a marked increase in the unemployment rate last month, which went up from 7.3 per cent to 7.6 per cent, a loss of nearly 20 thousand jobs.

 Still, Sam Hamad says he remains optimistic thanks to projections 700,000 will open in the province over the next three years. He says the government investments in infrastructure, and to encourage people return to work will also help.