OTTAWA - Canada's registered unemployment rate fell to 5.5 percent in September from August's 5.7 percent, Statistics Canada said on Friday.

   During the month, the country added 54,000 jobs as services sector provided more full-time work opportunities.

   The third quarter of 2019 saw an increase of 111,000 positions, or 0.6 percent, comparing a growth of 0.7 percent in the second quarter.

   On a year-over-year basis, the country's employment grew with 456,000 new positions, or 2.4 percent. Over the same period, total hours worked were up 1.3 percent.

   Friday's employment figures are the last major economic data to be released before Canada's national election on Oct. 21.

   The country's governing Liberal Party led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing a tight re-election campaign against the opposition Conservative Party led by Andrew Sheer.