Canada Employment Unexpectedly Rises

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.

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.

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.