Employment in Canada declined by 41,700 in August 2026, missing expectations for a 15,000 increase and following a 75,100 gain in July. Employment fell in business, building and other support services (-2.8%), public administration (-0.7%), natural resources (-2.3%), and utilities (-3.5%), while manufacturing employment increased 1.2%. By province, employment declined in Quebec (-0.4%) and edged down in Ontario (-0.2%), while it increased in New Brunswick (0.6%) and was little changed elsewhere. By age group, employment fell among youth aged 15 to 24 (-0.7%) and edged down among core-age workers aged 25 to 54 (-0.1%). Public-sector employment fell 0.4%, marking a third consecutive monthly decline, while private-sector employment was little changed. The employment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage point to 60.8%. Year-on-year, employment increased by 217,000 in August. source: Statistics Canada

Employment in Canada decreased by 41.70 in August 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 September of 2026.

Employment in Canada decreased by 41.70 in August of 2026. Employment Change in Canada is expected to be 65.00 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
2026-08-07 12:30 PM
Employment Change
Jul 75.1K 18.2K 15K 25.0K
2026-09-04 12:30 PM
Employment Change
Aug -41.7K 75.1K 15K 10.0K
2026-10-09 12:30 PM
Employment Change
Sep -41.7K 65K


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Hourly Wages 37.02 37.17 CAD Aug 2026
Employed Persons 21173.10 21214.80 Thousand Aug 2026
Employment Change -41.70 75.10 Thousand Aug 2026
Employment Rate 60.80 60.90 percent Aug 2026
Full Time Employment Chg -35.90 38.60 Thousand Aug 2026
Job Vacancies 506730.00 494905.00 Mar 2026
Participation Rate 65.00 65.10 percent Aug 2026
Labour Costs 134.30 133.49 points Jun 2026
Minimum Wages 17.95 17.60 CAD/Hour Oct 2026
Non Farm Payrolls 18418.00 18414.00 Thousand Jun 2026
Part Time Employment Chg -5.80 36.60 Thousand Aug 2026
Population 41.65 41.26 Million Dec 2025
Labor Productivity 104.82 104.96 points Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 1459.50 1454.70 Thousand Aug 2026
Unemployment Rate 6.40 6.40 percent Aug 2026
Average Weekly Earnings YoY 3.40 3.30 percent Jun 2026
Wages 32.74 33.01 CAD/Hour Jun 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 31.49 32.06 CAD/Hour Jun 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 12.90 12.60 percent Aug 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
-41.70 75.10 1035.80 -1991.40 1976 - 2026 Thousand Monthly
Volume, SA

News Stream
Canada Employment Unexpectedly Declines
Employment in Canada declined by 41,700 in August 2026, missing expectations for a 15,000 increase and following a 75,100 gain in July. Employment fell in business, building and other support services (-2.8%), public administration (-0.7%), natural resources (-2.3%), and utilities (-3.5%), while manufacturing employment increased 1.2%. By province, employment declined in Quebec (-0.4%) and edged down in Ontario (-0.2%), while it increased in New Brunswick (0.6%) and was little changed elsewhere. By age group, employment fell among youth aged 15 to 24 (-0.7%) and edged down among core-age workers aged 25 to 54 (-0.1%). Public-sector employment fell 0.4%, marking a third consecutive monthly decline, while private-sector employment was little changed. The employment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage point to 60.8%. Year-on-year, employment increased by 217,000 in August.
2026-09-04
Canada Employment Rises More Than Expected
Employment in Canada increased by 75,100 in July 2026, well above market expectations for a 15,000 gain, following a revised 18,200 increase in June. The employment level rose 0.4% month-over-month, driven by a 57,900 increase in private-sector jobs after a 31,600 gain in the previous month, while public-sector employment fell by 27,000, extending June's 31,000 decline. By industry, employment increased in wholesale and retail trade, finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing (+18,000), professional, scientific and technical services (+17,000), and construction (+16,000). In contrast, jobs declined in public administration (-15,000) and agriculture (-9,600). Regionally, employment rose for a third consecutive month in Ontario (+52,000), alongside gains in British Columbia (+18,000), Manitoba (+5,900), and Nova Scotia (+4,600). Meanwhile, the employment rate edged up 0.1 percentage point to 60.9%.
2026-08-07
Canada Employment Tops Forecasts in June
Canada's employment increased by 18,000 in June 2026, above market expectations for a 10,000 gain, following an increase of 88,000 in May. Employment rose 0.1% from the previous month, driven by a 32,000 increase among private-sector employees after a 56,000 gain in May. Accommodation and food services added 15,000 jobs, marking a third consecutive monthly increase. In contrast, manufacturing employment fell by 17,000, reversing much of May's 15,000 increase. Public-sector employment declined by 31,000. Regionally, employment increased in Quebec (+14,000) for a second straight month, as well as in Nova Scotia (+4,800) and Saskatchewan (+2,900). Meanwhile, the employment rate edged up 0.1 percentage point to 60.8%.
2026-07-10