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* Canadian dollar rises 0.1% against the greenback * Canada sheds 63,000 jobs in December * For the week, the loonie was on track to gain 0.4% * Price of U.S. oil increases 1.8% By Fergal Smith TORONTO, Jan 8 (Reuters) – The Canadian dollar firmed against its U.S. counterpart on Friday as oil prices moved higher, with the currency adding to this week’s gains despite domestic data showing the first jobs decline since April. Canada shed 63,000 jobs in December, a bigger decline than was expected, Statistics Canada data showed, amid more restrictions aimed at curbing a second wave of coronavirus infections. "In the near term, the lockdowns will challenge the economy, likely spurring calls for more fiscal stimulus and keeping the BoC on an accommodative path," said Ryan Brecht, a senior economist at Action Economics. The Bank of Canada has cut rates to a record low of 0.25%. In December, the central bank said it could lower interest rates further without going negative if the second wave leads to more scarring of the economy. Its next policy decision is due on Jan. 20. The Canadian dollar was trading 0.1% higher at 1.2677 to the greenback, or 78.88 […]
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