Canada Jobless Rate Rebounds From 16-Month Low

2026-03-13 12:41 By Felipe Alarcon 1 min. read

The unemployment rate in Canada rose to 6.7% in February 2026 from the lowest in sixteen months of 6.5% in the previous month and above the expected 6.6% increase, reflecting an increment in the number of people searching for work and a contraction in employment.

The increase followed the prior month's decline and reflected a 56,700 rise in the number of unemployed to over 1.51 million.

The labour force contracted by roughly 27,200, pushing the participation rate down to 64.9% from 65.0%.

Net employment fell by 84,000 to 21.04 million, continuing the recent downward trend.

Losses were driven by a 108,000 decline in full-time employment, partly offset by a 24,500 increase in part-time work.



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Canada Jobless Rate Rebounds From 16-Month Low
The unemployment rate in Canada rose to 6.7% in February 2026 from the lowest in sixteen months of 6.5% in the previous month and above the expected 6.6% increase, reflecting an increment in the number of people searching for work and a contraction in employment. The increase followed the prior month's decline and reflected a 56,700 rise in the number of unemployed to over 1.51 million. The labour force contracted by roughly 27,200, pushing the participation rate down to 64.9% from 65.0%. Net employment fell by 84,000 to 21.04 million, continuing the recent downward trend. Losses were driven by a 108,000 decline in full-time employment, partly offset by a 24,500 increase in part-time work.
2026-03-13
Canada Jobless Rate Drops to 16-Month Low
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2026-01-09