News

Canada Unemployment Rate Unexpectedly Falls
The unemployment rate in Canada fell to 6.6% in May of 2026 from 6.9% in the previous month, the lowest since January and firmly below market expectations that it would remain at 6.9%. The result reflected some fresh resilience in the Canadian labor market after concerns that high energy prices, restrictive interest rates, and tariff exchanges with the US would hamper the domestic job market. The number of unemployed people fell by 84,000 to 1,482,400, with reductions seen for both core aged women and core aged men. In the meantime, net employment surged by 87,800 to 21,121,500, well above market expectations of a 10,000 increase to mark the sharpest job growth since December of 2024. A large portion of the gain in net employment was through job gains on the unemployed population, as the labor force participation rate remained unchanged from the previous month at 65%.
Published on 2026-06-05

Canada Unemployment Rate Unexpectedly Falls
The unemployment rate in Canada fell to 6.6% in May of 2026 from 6.9% in the previous month, the lowest since January and firmly below market expectations that it would remain at 6.9%. The result reflected some fresh resilience in the Canadian labor market after concerns that high energy prices, restrictive interest rates, and tariff exchanges with the US would hamper the domestic job market. The number of unemployed people fell by 84,000 to 1,482,400, with reductions seen for both core aged women and core aged men. In the meantime, net employment surged by 87,800 to 21,121,500, well above market expectations of a 10,000 increase to mark the sharpest job growth since December of 2024.
Published on 2026-06-05

Canada Unemployment Rate Unexpectedly Falls
The unemployment rate in Canada fell to 6.6% in May of 2026 from 6.9% in the previous month, the lowest since January and firmly below market expectations that it would remain at 6.9%. The result reflected some fresh resilience in the Canadian labor market after concerns that high energy prices, restrictive interest rates, and tariff exchanges with the US would hamper the domestic job market. The number of unemployed people fell by 84,000 to 1,482,400, with reductions seen for both core aged women and core aged men. In the meantime, net employment surged by 87,800 to 21,121,500, well above market expectations of a 10,000 increase to mark the sharpest job growth since December of 2024. A large portion of the gain in net employment was through job gains on the unemployed population, as the labor force participation rate remained unchanged from the previous month at 65%.
Published on 2026-06-05

Canada Unemployment Rate Rises to 6-Month High
The unemployment rate in Canada rose to 6.9% in April of 2026 from 6.7% in the previous month, overshooting expectations that it would remain unchanged at 6.7% to mark the highest jobless rate in six months. The number of unemployed people rose by 51.2 thousand from the previous month, or 3.4%, to 1.566 million. The increase was partially explained by a 33.5 thousand increase in the labor force as more Canadians entered the job market to look for employment, lifting the labor force participation rate by 0.1 percentage points to 65%. In turn, the proportion of the unemployed population that has been looking for work for six months or more was little changed at 22.5%, remaining above the long-term average of 17.1%. The monthly layoff rate was at 0.6%, in line with the pre-pandemic average. Meanwhile, net employment unexpectedly fell by 17.7 thousand, missing expectations of a 15 thousand gain.
Published on 2026-05-08

Canada Unemployment Rate Rises to 6-Month High
The unemployment rate in Canada rose to 6.9% in April of 2026 from 6.7% in the previous month, overshooting expectations that it would remain unchanged at 6.7% to mark the highest jobless rate in six months. The number of unemployed people rose by 51.2 thousand from the previous month, or 3.4%, to 1.566 million. The increase was partially explained by a 33.5 thousand increase in the labor force as more Canadians entered the job market to look for employment, lifting the labor force participation rate by 0.1 percentage points to 65%. Meanwhile, net employment unexpectedly fell by 17.7 thousand, missing expectations of a 15 thousand gain.
Published on 2026-05-08

Canada Jobless Rate Holds Steady at 6.7%
The unemployment rate in Canada stood at 6.7% in March 2026, unchanged from the prior month and slightly below the expected 6.8%. This figure is below the 7.1% peak observed in August and September 2025 and shows little change compared to the same period last year. The number of unemployed individuals rose by 1,000, while employment levels increased by 14,100, just shy of the forecasted 15,000, driven by a rise in part-time work, which offset a decline in full-time positions. For those in the core working age group (25–54), the unemployment rate stayed virtually unchanged at 5.8% for both men and women. Among youth aged 15–24, the unemployment rate remained steady at 13.8% in March, after rising by 1.3 percentage points in February. For individuals aged 55 and older, the unemployment rate held firm at 4.9% for the month. Both the employment rate (60.6%) and the participation rate (64.9%) showed no change in March.
Published on 2026-04-10

Canada Jobless Rate Holds Steady at 6.7%
The unemployment rate in Canada stood at 6.7% in March 2026, unchanged from the prior month and slightly below the expected 6.8%. The number of unemployed rose by 1,000 to around 1.5 million, while employment increased by 14,200 to 21.1 million. The employment rate held steady at 60.6%, and the participation rate was unchanged at 64.9%. Employment rose in the 'other services' industry (+15,000; +1.9%), which includes personal and repair services, and it also increased in natural resources (+10,000; +3.0%). Employment declined in finance, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing (-11,000; -0.8%). Among youth aged 15 to 24, the unemployment rate was little changed at 13.8%, following an increase of 1.3 percentage points in February.
Published on 2026-04-10

Canada Jobless Rate Holds Steady at 6.7%
The unemployment rate in Canada stood at 6.7% in March 2026, unchanged from the prior month and slightly below the expected 6.8%. Employment was little changed (+14,000; +0.1%) and the employment rate held steady at 60.6%. Employment rose in the 'other services' industry (+15,000; +1.9%), which includes personal and repair services, and it also increased in natural resources (+10,000; +3.0%). Employment declined in finance, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing (-11,000; -0.8%).
Published on 2026-04-10

Canada Jobless Rate Holds Steady at 6.7%
The unemployment rate in Canada stood at 6.7% in March 2026, unchanged from the prior month and slightly below the expected 6.8%. Employment was little changed (+14,000; +0.1%) and the employment rate held steady at 60.6%. Employment rose in the 'other services' industry (+15,000; +1.9%), which includes personal and repair services, and it also increased in natural resources (+10,000; +3.0%). Employment declined in finance, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing (-11,000; -0.8%). Among youth aged 15 to 24, the unemployment rate was little changed at 13.8%, following an increase of 1.3 percentage points in February.
Published on 2026-04-10

Canada Jobless Rate Holds Steady at 6.7%
The unemployment rate in Canada stood at 6.7% in March 2026, unchanged from the prior month and slightly below the expected 6.8%.Employment was little changed (+14,000; +0.1%) and the employment rate held steady at 60.6%. The participation rate was unchanged at 64.9%. Employment rose in the 'other services' industry (+15,000; +1.9%), which includes personal and repair services, and it also increased in natural resources (+10,000; +3.0%). Employment declined in finance, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing (-11,000; -0.8%). Among youth aged 15 to 24, the unemployment rate was little changed at 13.8%, following an increase of 1.3 percentage points in February.
Published on 2026-04-10

Canada Jobless Rate Rebounds From 16-Month Low
The unemployment rate in Canada rose to 6.7% in February 2026 from the lowest in sixteen months of 6.5% in the previous month and above the expected 6.6% increase, reflecting an increment in the number of people searching for work and a contraction in employment. The increase followed the prior month's decline and reflected a 56,700 rise in the number of unemployed to over 1.51 million. The labour force contracted by roughly 27,200, pushing the participation rate down to 64.9% from 65.0%. Net employment fell by 84,000 to 21.04 million, continuing the recent downward trend. Losses were driven by a 108,000 decline in full-time employment, partly offset by a 24,500 increase in part-time work.
Published on 2026-03-13

Canada Jobless Rate Rebounds From 16-Month Low
The unemployment rate in Canada rose to 6.7% in February 2026 from the lowest in sixteen months of 6.5% in the previous month and above the expected 6.6% increase, reflecting an increment in the number of people searching for work and a contraction in employment. The increase followed the prior month's decline and reflected a 56,700 rise in the number of unemployed to over 1.51 million. The labour force contracted by roughly 27,200, pushing the participation rate down to 64.9% from 65.0%. Net employment fell by 84,000 to 21.04 million, continuing the recent downward trend. Losses were driven by a 108,000 decline in full-time employment, partly offset by a 24,500 increase in part-time work.
Published on 2026-03-13

Canada Unemployment Rate Drops to 16-Month Low
The unemployment rate in Canada fell to 6.5% in January 2026 from 6.8% in the previous month, undershooting market expectations of 6.8% and marking the lowest level in 16 months, as fewer people searched for work. The decline marked a partial reversal of the prior month’s increase and reflected a 94,000 drop in the number of unemployed to around 1.5 million. The labour force contracted by roughly 94,000, pushing the participation rate down to 65.0% from 65.4%. Net employment fell by 25,000 to 21.12 million, interrupting the recent run of gains. Losses were driven by a 70,000 decline in part-time employment, partly offset by a 45,000 increase in full-time work.
Published on 2026-02-06

Canada Jobless Rate Drops to 16-Month Low
The unemployment rate in Canada fell to 6.5% in January 2026 from 6.8% in the previous month, undershooting market expectations of 6.8% and marking the lowest level in 16 months, as fewer people searched for work. The decline marked a partial reversal of the prior month’s increase and reflected a 94,000 drop in the number of unemployed to around 1.5 million. The labour force contracted by roughly 94,000, pushing the participation rate down to 65.0% from 65.4%. Net employment fell by 25,000 to 21.12 million, interrupting the recent run of gains. Losses were driven by a 70,000 decline in part-time employment, partly offset by a 45,000 increase in full-time work.
Published on 2026-02-06

Canada Unemployment Rate Drops to 16-Month Low
The unemployment rate in Canada fell to 6.5% in January 2026 from 6.8% in the previous month, undershooting market expectations of 6.8% and marking the lowest level in 16 months, as fewer people searched for work. The decline marked a partial reversal of the prior month’s increase and reflected a 94,000 drop in the number of unemployed to around 1.5 million. The labour force contracted by roughly 94,000, pushing the participation rate down to 65.0% from 65.4%. Net employment fell by 25,000 to 21.12 million, interrupting the recent run of gains. Losses were driven by a 70,000 decline in part-time employment, partly offset by a 45,000 increase in full-time work.
Published on 2026-02-06

Canada Unemployment Rate Drops to 18-Month Low
The unemployment rate in Canada fell to 6.5% in January 2026 from 6.8% in the previous month, undershooting market expectations of 6.8% and marking the lowest level in 18 months, as fewer people searched for work. The decline marked a partial reversal of the prior month’s increase and reflected a 94,000 drop in the number of unemployed to around 1.5 million. The labour force contracted by roughly 94,000, pushing the participation rate down to 65.0% from 65.4%. Net employment fell by 25,000 to 21.12 million, interrupting the recent run of gains. Losses were driven by a 70,000 decline in part-time employment, partly offset by a 45,000 increase in full-time work.
Published on 2026-02-06

Canada Unemployment Rate Edges Higher
The unemployment rate in Canada rose to 6.8% in December 2025 from 6.5% in the previous month and above market expectations of 6.6%, as more people entered the job market in search of work. The uptick partially reversed a cumulative 0.6-percentage-point decline recorded over the prior two months. The number of unemployed increased by 72,900 to 1.6 million, trailing an 81,000 rise in the labor force, which pushed the participation rate up to 65.4%. Meanwhile, net employment rose by 8,200 to 21.14 million, marking a fourth consecutive month of improvement. Gains were driven by a 50,200 increase in full-time employment, while part-time employment fell by 42,000.
Published on 2026-01-09

Canada Unemployment Rate Edges Higher
The unemployment rate in Canada rose to 6.8% in December 2025 from 6.5% in the previous month and above market expectations of 6.6%, as more people entered the job market in search of work. The uptick partially reversed a cumulative 0.6-percentage-point decline recorded over the prior two months. The number of unemployed increased by 72,900 to 1.6 million, trailing an 81,000 rise in the labor force, which pushed the participation rate up to 65.4%. Meanwhile, net employment rose by 8,200 to 21.14 million, marking a fourth consecutive month of improvement. Gains were driven by a 50,200 increase in full-time employment, while part-time employment fell by 42,000.
Published on 2026-01-09

Canada Unemployment Rate Edges Higher
The unemployment rate in Canada rose to 6.8% in December 2025 from 6.5% in the previous month and above market expectations of 6.6%, as more people entered the job market in search of work. The uptick partially reversed a cumulative 0.6-percentage-point decline recorded over the prior two months. The number of unemployed rose by 73,000 to 1.6 million, while the labor force increased by 81,000, pushing the participation rate up to 65.4%. Net employment rose by 8,200 to 21.14 million, marking a fourth consecutive month of improvement. Gains were driven by a 50,200 increase in full-time employment, offset by a 42,000 decline in part-time work.
Published on 2026-01-09

Canada Unemployment Rate Falls to 15-Month Low
The unemployment rate in Canada fell sharply to 6.5% in November of 2025 from 6.9% in the previous month, the lowest in 15 months, and contrasting sharply with expectations that it would rise to 7%. The result marked a reversal in the trend of a rising jobless rate through most of the year, as the unemployed population fell by 80 thousand from the previous month to 1.5 million. This was sharper than the 26 thousand reduction in the labor force, bringing the labor force participation rate to 65.1%. In the meantime, net employment jumped by 53.6 thousand to 21.14 million, a third consecutive month of marked improvement.
Published on 2025-12-05