Employment in Canada fell 0.1% (-25,000) in January 2025, missing expectations for a 7,000 increase and marking the sharpest monthly decline since August 2025. The employment rate edged down 0.1 percentage point to 60.8%. Job losses were concentrated among core-aged women (25–54), down 27,000 (-0.4%), while other major demographic groups saw little change. By sector, employment declined in manufacturing (-28,000; -1.5%), educational services (-24,000; -1.5%) and public administration (-10,000; -0.8%). Offsetting gains were seen in information, culture and recreation (+17,000; +2.0%), business, building and other support services (+14,000; +2.1%), agriculture (+11,000; +4.5%) and utilities (+4,200; +2.5%). Regionally, employment fell sharply in Ontario (-67,000; -0.8%), while Alberta (+20,000; +0.8%), Saskatchewan (+6,100; +1.0%) and Newfoundland and Labrador (+3,800; +1.6%) posted gains. source: Statistics Canada

Employment in Canada decreased by 24.80 in January of 2026. Employment Change in Canada averaged 18.99 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 February of 2026.

Employment in Canada decreased by 24.80 in January of 2026. Employment Change in Canada is expected to be 20.00 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 25.00 Thousand in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-01-09 01:30 PM
Employment Change
Dec 8.2K 53.6K -5K 40.0K
2026-02-06 01:30 PM
Employment Change
Jan -24.8K 10.1K 7K -10.0K
2026-03-13 01:30 PM
Employment Change
Feb -24.8K


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Hourly Wages 38.02 38.01 CAD Dec 2025
Employed Persons 21121.20 21146.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Employment Change -24.80 10.10 Thousand Jan 2026
Employment Rate 60.80 60.90 percent Jan 2026
Full Time Employment Chg 44.90 50.20 Thousand Jan 2026
Job Vacancies 492475.00 506490.00 Sep 2025
Participation Rate 65.00 65.40 percent Jan 2026
Labour Costs 130.98 130.57 points Sep 2025
Minimum Wages 17.60 17.20 CAD/Hour Oct 2025
Non Farm Payrolls 18245.00 18276.00 Thousand Nov 2025
Part Time Employment Chg -69.70 -41.30 Thousand Jan 2026
Population 41.65 41.26 Million Dec 2025
Labor Productivity 104.42 103.48 points Sep 2025
Unemployed Persons 1457.50 1551.70 Thousand Jan 2026
Unemployment Rate 6.50 6.80 percent Jan 2026
Average Weekly Earnings YoY 2.50 2.00 percent Nov 2025
Wages 32.56 32.40 CAD/Hour Nov 2025
Wages in Manufacturing 32.48 32.37 CAD/Hour Nov 2025
Youth Unemployment Rate 12.80 13.30 percent Jan 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
-24.80 10.10 1035.80 -1991.40 1976 - 2026 Thousand Monthly
Volume, SA

News Stream
Canada Employment Slips in January
Employment in Canada fell 0.1% (-25,000) in January 2025, missing expectations for a 7,000 increase and marking the sharpest monthly decline since August 2025. The employment rate edged down 0.1 percentage point to 60.8%. Job losses were concentrated among core-aged women (25–54), down 27,000 (-0.4%), while other major demographic groups saw little change. By sector, employment declined in manufacturing (-28,000; -1.5%), educational services (-24,000; -1.5%) and public administration (-10,000; -0.8%). Offsetting gains were seen in information, culture and recreation (+17,000; +2.0%), business, building and other support services (+14,000; +2.1%), agriculture (+11,000; +4.5%) and utilities (+4,200; +2.5%). Regionally, employment fell sharply in Ontario (-67,000; -0.8%), while Alberta (+20,000; +0.8%), Saskatchewan (+6,100; +1.0%) and Newfoundland and Labrador (+3,800; +1.6%) posted gains.
2026-02-06
Canada Employment Unexpectedly Rises
Canada’s employment was little changed, rising by 8,200 in December 2025, following three consecutive monthly increases totalling 181,000 from September to November and above market estimates of a slight drop. Employment gains were driven mainly by full-time work (+50,000), while part-time employment fell (-42,000). Employment rose in health care and social assistance (+21,000; +0.7%) and in other services such as personal and repair services (+15,000; +2.0%). In contrast, professional, scientific and technical services saw a decline (-18,000; -0.9%), while employment in other industries remained largely unchanged. By province, employment increased in Quebec (+16,000; +0.3%) while it fell in Alberta (-14,000; -0.5%) and Saskatchewan (-4,000; -0.6%); there was little employment change in the other provinces.
2026-01-09
Canada Adds More Jobs than Expected
Canada’s employment rose by 54,000, or 0.3%, in November 2025, following a 66,600 increase in October, and way better than market estimates of a 5,000 drop. Job gains were driven by part-time positions (+63,000; +1.6%), which more than offset a 9,000 decline in full-time jobs. Employment rose in health care and social assistance (+46,000; +1.6%), accommodation and food services (+14,000; +1.2%) and natural resources (+11,000; +3.4%); wholesale and retail trade declined (-34,000; -1.1%). By province, employment increased in Alberta (+29,000; +1.1%), New Brunswick (+5,500; +1.4%) and Manitoba (+4,500; +0.6%), while it was little changed in Ontario and Quebec. Cumulative increases in September, October and November (+181,000; +0.9%) followed a slow start to the year, with little net employment change from January to August.
2025-12-05