Canada Employment Little Changed in March

Employment in Canada rose by 88,000 from the previous month in May 2026, the most since December 2024 and well above market expectations for a gain of 10,000. The rebound followed a cumulative net loss of 112,000 jobs during the first four months of the year. Employment increased among both private-sector workers (+56,000) and public-sector employees (+20,000). Full-time employment climbed by 154,000, while part-time positions declined by 66,000 and self-employment was little changed. Job gains were concentrated in construction (+27,000), information, culture and recreation (+19,000), transportation and warehousing (+19,000), and accommodation and food services (+17,000). In contrast, wholesale and retail trade shed 35,000 jobs. Regionally, employment increased in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Prince Edward Island, while Saskatchewan recorded a decline. The employment rate rose 0.2 percentage points to 60.7%.

Employment in Canada edged down by 18,000 in April 2026, following a gain of 14,000 in the prior month and missing forecasts for a 15,000 increase. The result marked a second straight month of limited movement after February’s sharp decline of 84,000 jobs. Full-time employment fell by 47,000, while part-time positions increased by 29,000. Employment levels were broadly unchanged across the private and public sectors, as well as among self-employed workers. The unemployment rate rose among youth aged 15 to 24 to 14.3% and among core-aged men to 6.1%. Regionally, employment declined in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick, while Ontario added 42,000 jobs. Meanwhile, the employment rate slipped 0.1 percentage points to 60.5%.

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.