toronto dec 3 reuters  the canadian dollar strengthened against its us counterpart on friday as oil prices climbed and domestic jobs data supported an earlier start to bank of canada rate hikes canadas economy posted a job gain of 154000 in november eclipsing estimates for an increase of 35000 while the jobless rate dropped to a new pandemic low the data could make it more likely that the bank of canada sticks to hawkish guidance at an interest rate decision next week despite a more uncertain economic outlook following the emergence of the omicron coronavirus variant in october the boc signaled it could begin raising interest rates as soon as april given the strength in jobs and inflation the risks are skewed toward an earlier start to bank of canada rate hikes benjamin reitzes canadian rates  macro strategist at bmo capital markets said in a note the price of oil one of canadas main exports climbed after the producer group opec said it could review its policy to hike output at short notice if oil demand collapsed us crude prices were up 35 at 688 a barrel read more the canadian dollar was trading 03 higher at 12767 to the greenback or 7833 us cents after earlier touching its weakest intraday level since sept 21 at 12845 analysts are sticking with bullish forecasts on the canadian dollar expecting oil prices to rebound and the bank of canada to hike interest rates before the us federal reserve a reuters poll showed read more gains for the loonie on friday followed data showing us employment increased far less than expected in november read more canadian government bond yields moved higher across a flatter curve the 2year rate rose 7 basis points to 1043 while the 10year was up 1 basis points at 1516