It is the most powerful economic data Statistics Canada produces, capable of making and breaking governments, moving markets and influencing interest rates. But questions are being raised about whether the monthly jobs reports are too wonky to trust.

Eyebrows were raised last week when the respected agency released its employment numbers for July, with some analysts saying they should be thrown out.

The big head-scratcher was the claim 139,000 full-time jobs had vanished, including 65,000 in education. Full-time jobs collapsed, but actual hours worked increased 0.3 per cent. And the country supposedly added 93,000 jobs in June but the number of hours worked fell. (more)