Canada Employment Slips in January

2026-02-06 14:02 By Isabela Couto 1 min. read

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.



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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.
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