Canada Unemployment Rate Rises to 6-Month High

The unemployment rate in Canada rose to 6.9% in April of 2026 from 6.7% in the previous month, overshooting expectations that it would remain unchanged at 6.7% to mark the highest jobless rate in six months. The number of unemployed people rose by 51.2 thousand from the previous month, or 3.4%, to 1.566 million. The increase was partially explained by a 33.5 thousand increase in the labor force as more Canadians entered the job market to look for employment, lifting the labor force participation rate by 0.1 percentage points to 65%. In turn, the proportion of the unemployed population that has been looking for work for six months or more was little changed at 22.5%, remaining above the long-term average of 17.1%. The monthly layoff rate was at 0.6%, in line with the pre-pandemic average. Meanwhile, net employment unexpectedly fell by 17.7 thousand, missing expectations of a 15 thousand gain.

The unemployment rate in Canada stood at 6.7% in March 2026, unchanged from the prior month and slightly below the expected 6.8%. This figure is below the 7.1% peak observed in August and September 2025 and shows little change compared to the same period last year. The number of unemployed individuals rose by 1,000, while employment levels increased by 14,100, just shy of the forecasted 15,000, driven by a rise in part-time work, which offset a decline in full-time positions. For those in the core working age group (25–54), the unemployment rate stayed virtually unchanged at 5.8% for both men and women. Among youth aged 15–24, the unemployment rate remained steady at 13.8% in March, after rising by 1.3 percentage points in February. For individuals aged 55 and older, the unemployment rate held firm at 4.9% for the month. Both the employment rate (60.6%) and the participation rate (64.9%) showed no change in March.

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.