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. source: Statistics Canada

Employment in Canada increased by 14.10 in March of 2026. Employment Change in Canada averaged 18.81 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 April of 2026.

Employment in Canada increased by 14.10 in March of 2026. Employment Change in Canada is expected to be 40.00 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
2026-03-13 12:30 PM
Employment Change
Feb -83.9K -24.8K 10K -15.0K
2026-04-10 12:30 PM
Employment Change
Mar 14.1K -83.9K 15K 30.0K
2026-05-08 12:30 PM
Employment Change
Apr 14.1K


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Hourly Wages 38.49 38.06 CAD Feb 2026
Employed Persons 21051.40 21037.30 Thousand Mar 2026
Employment Change 14.10 -83.90 Thousand Mar 2026
Employment Rate 60.60 60.60 percent Mar 2026
Full Time Employment Chg -1.10 -108.40 Thousand Mar 2026
Job Vacancies 495125.00 492475.00 Dec 2025
Participation Rate 64.90 64.90 percent Mar 2026
Labour Costs 131.71 130.84 points Dec 2025
Minimum Wages 17.60 17.20 CAD/Hour Oct 2025
Non Farm Payrolls 18343.00 18240.00 Thousand Jan 2026
Part Time Employment Chg 15.20 24.50 Thousand Mar 2026
Population 41.65 41.26 Million Dec 2025
Labor Productivity 104.42 103.48 points Sep 2025
Unemployed Persons 1515.20 1514.20 Thousand Mar 2026
Unemployment Rate 6.70 6.70 percent Mar 2026
Average Weekly Earnings YoY 2.00 1.96 percent Jan 2026
Wages 32.72 32.74 CAD/Hour Jan 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 32.47 32.79 CAD/Hour Jan 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 13.80 14.10 percent Mar 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
14.10 -83.90 1035.80 -1991.40 1976 - 2026 Thousand Monthly
Volume, SA

News Stream
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
Canada Employment Unexpectedly Falls
Employment in Canada fell by 83,900 or 0.4% in February 2026, following a 25,000 decrease in January and sharply missing forecasts for a 10,000 increase. The latest figure also marked the sharpest decline since January 2022, with losses concentrated in full-time positions, down 0.6% or 108,400, while part-time employment was little changed, up 24,500 after a drop in January. By sector, employment declined in wholesale and retail trade (-17,900; -0.6%), other services (-13,900, -1.8%), information, culture, and recreation (-12,000, -1.4%), and construction (-11,800; -0.7%). Offsetting gains were seen in transportation and warehousing (+10,300; 0.9%) and public administration (+8,100; 0.7%). Regionally, employment fell sharply in Quebec (-57,000; -1.2%), followed by Saskatchewan (-5,500; -0.9%) and Manitoba (-4,000; -0.5%), while it increased by 2,100 (+0.8%) in Newfoundland and Labrador.
2026-03-13
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