Canada’s labour market remained flat in April, with just 7,400 jobs added and the unemployment rate rising to 6.9%, the highest since November 2024.
The latest Labour Force Survey shows that the employment rate dipped slightly to 60.8%, continuing a population growth trend outpacing job creation.
The biggest job losses were among core-aged women (25 to 54 years), down 60,000 positions, mostly in part-time positions. In contrast, employment rose for core-aged men (+24,000) and people aged 55 and older (+35,000).
Young men aged 15 to 24 faced higher unemployment despite stable job numbers, as more of them began looking for work.
Public administration led job gains, adding 37,000 positions tied to temporary hiring during the federal election period. Finance, insurance, and real estate also saw gains.
However, key sectors like manufacturing (-31,000) and wholesale and retail trade (-27,000) saw job losses. Ontario was hit hardest, losing 35,000 jobs overall, with manufacturing shedding 33,000 alone.
Ontario and Nova Scotia saw employment declines, while Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador posted modest gains. Alberta added 15,000 jobs, although its unemployment rate stayed at 7.1%. In Windsor, Ontario, the jobless rate jumped to 10.7%.
Average hourly wages increased by 3.4% year-over-year to $36.13. Despite this, worker confidence declined. About 13.2% of employees expected fewer workers at their workplace over the next six months, especially in sectors dependent on U.S. demand.
Nearly 8% of all employees reported concern about losing their jobs, with higher worry among youth.
Canada’s unemployment rate was 5.8% in April, 1.6 percentage points above the U.S. rate of 4.2%. While Canada continues to lead in employment among core-aged women, the gap is narrowing due to slower job growth.
With little change in overall employment, growing layoffs in key sectors, and rising unemployment, the April data signal a cautious job market. As economic uncertainties persist, Canada’s labour force faces a fragile path ahead.