Employment in Canada rose by 88,000 in May 2026, a 0.4% increase from April, the highest since December 2024 and well above market expectations for a gain of 10,000. The rebound followed a net loss of 112,000 jobs during the first four months of the year. Employment increased among both private-sector workers (+56,000) and public-sector employees (+20,000). Full-time employment climbed by 154,000, while part-time positions declined by 66,000 and self-employment was little changed. Job gains were concentrated in construction (+27,000), information, culture and recreation (+19,000), transportation and warehousing (+19,000), and accommodation and food services (+17,000). In contrast, wholesale and retail trade shed 35,000 jobs. Regionally, employment increased in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Prince Edward Island, while Saskatchewan recorded a decline. The employment rate rose 0.2 percentage points to 60.7%. source: Statistics Canada

Employment in Canada increased by 87.80 in May of 2026. Employment Change in Canada averaged 18.86 Thousand from 1976 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 1035.80 Thousand in June of 2020 and a record low of -1991.40 Thousand in April of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - Canada Employment Change - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Canada Employment Change - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Employment in Canada increased by 87.80 in May of 2026. Employment Change in Canada is expected to be 10.00 Thousand by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Canada Employment Change is projected to trend around 63.00 Thousand in 2027 and 55.00 Thousand in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-08 12:30 PM
Employment Change
Apr -17.7K 14.1K 15K 20.0K
2026-06-05 12:30 PM
Employment Change
May 88K -17.7K 10K 8.0K
2026-07-10 12:30 PM
Employment Change
Jun 88K 10.0K


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Hourly Wages 38.76 38.69 CAD Apr 2026
Employed Persons 21121.50 21033.70 Thousand May 2026
Employment Change 87.80 -17.70 Thousand May 2026
Employment Rate 60.70 60.50 percent May 2026
Full Time Employment Chg 154.00 -46.70 Thousand May 2026
Job Vacancies 506730.00 494905.00 Mar 2026
Participation Rate 65.00 65.00 percent May 2026
Labour Costs 133.75 131.95 points Mar 2026
Minimum Wages 17.95 17.60 CAD/Hour Oct 2026
Non Farm Payrolls 18272.00 18304.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Part Time Employment Chg -66.20 29.00 Thousand May 2026
Population 41.65 41.26 Million Dec 2025
Labor Productivity 104.82 104.96 points Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 1482.40 1566.40 Thousand May 2026
Unemployment Rate 6.60 6.90 percent May 2026
Average Weekly Earnings YoY 3.50 2.85 percent Mar 2026
Wages 32.86 32.99 CAD/Hour Mar 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 31.58 32.43 CAD/Hour Mar 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 13.40 14.30 percent May 2026


Canada Employment Change
In Canada, employment change refers to the change in the number of persons who work for pay or profit, or perform unpaid family work. Estimates include both full-time and part-time employment.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
87.80 -17.70 1035.80 -1991.40 1976 - 2026 Thousand Monthly
Volume, SA

News Stream
Canada Job Growth at 17-Month High
Employment in Canada rose by 88,000 from the previous month in May 2026, the most since December 2024 and well above market expectations for a gain of 10,000. The rebound followed a cumulative net loss of 112,000 jobs during the first four months of the year. Employment increased among both private-sector workers (+56,000) and public-sector employees (+20,000). Full-time employment climbed by 154,000, while part-time positions declined by 66,000 and self-employment was little changed. Job gains were concentrated in construction (+27,000), information, culture and recreation (+19,000), transportation and warehousing (+19,000), and accommodation and food services (+17,000). In contrast, wholesale and retail trade shed 35,000 jobs. Regionally, employment increased in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Prince Edward Island, while Saskatchewan recorded a decline. The employment rate rose 0.2 percentage points to 60.7%.
2026-06-05
Canada Employment Unexpectedly Falls in April
Employment in Canada edged down by 18,000 in April 2026, following a gain of 14,000 in the prior month and missing forecasts for a 15,000 increase. The result marked a second straight month of limited movement after February’s sharp decline of 84,000 jobs. Full-time employment fell by 47,000, while part-time positions increased by 29,000. Employment levels were broadly unchanged across the private and public sectors, as well as among self-employed workers. The unemployment rate rose among youth aged 15 to 24 to 14.3% and among core-aged men to 6.1%. Regionally, employment declined in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick, while Ontario added 42,000 jobs. Meanwhile, the employment rate slipped 0.1 percentage points to 60.5%.
2026-05-08
Canada Employment Little Changed in March
Employment in Canada edged up by 0.1% or 14K in March 2026, following a cumulative decline of 109,000 (-0.5%) over the first two months of 2026 and roughly in line with forecasts of a 15K rise. The number of full-time and part-time workers both showed little variation in March. 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%). The employment rate was unchanged at 60.6%, following a cumulative decline of 0.3 percentage points in January and February.
2026-04-10