June 9, 2017 – Canada’s jobs momentum continued in May, with the latest data showing 55,000 more people were in mainly full-time work at the end of the month.
The latest increase means 317,000 jobs have been added in the last 12 months, representing a significant period of improvement for the Canadian economy.
Despite the Canada jobs gains, unemployment rose slightly to 6.6 per cent due to an increase in the number of people looking for work.
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Provincially, Quebec’s unemployment rate dropped to a record low 6 per cent, while Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba all made good jobs gains.
Key demographic gains came for young people aged 15 to 24, with employment rising by 28,000, the first increase of note since October 2016. The year-on-year growth of 64,000 jobs for young people is the most since February 2013.
Men aged 25 to 54 also saw significant gains, adding 25,000 jobs in the third solid monthly increase of 2017. The unemployment rate in this age group is now 5.8 per cent, with an employment rise of 96,000 on the year.
Women aged 25 to 54 had a steady month of May, consolidating a rise of 61,000 jobs on the year.
Canada’s Jobs Snapshot
| End April | End May | |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 6.5 | 6.6 |
| Employment rate (%) | 61.4 | 61.5 |
| Labour force participation rate (%) | 65.6 | 65.8 |
| Number unemployed | 1,265,000 | 1,288,900 |
| Number working | 18,311,200 | 18,365,700 |
| Youth (15-24) unemployment rate (%) | 11.7 | 12.0 |
| Men (over 25) unemployment rate (%) | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Women (over 25) unemployment rate (%) | 5.1 | 5.3 |
Source: Statistics Canada
Provincial Picture
Quebec had an excellent month on the unemployment front, with the figure dropping from 6.6 per cent to a record low 6 per cent. The French-speaking province’s unemployment rate has been dropping since early 2016. It has now added 83,000 jobs in the last 12 months
Ontario also had a strong month, adding where 20,000 jobs to bring the total to 86,000 for the year.
B.C.’s significant period of forwards momentum continued with the addition of 12,000 jobs. The data in the western province has been on an upward curve for two full years now, with the last 12 months seeing 99,000 jobs added.
Jobs Data in the Provinces
| Jobs change April | Unemployment rate (%) | |
| 1) Manitoba | 2,700 | 5.3 |
| 2) British Columbia | 12,300 | 5.6 |
| 3) Quebec | 14,900 | 6.0 |
| 4) Saskatchewan | 2,100 | 6.3 |
| 5) Ontario | 19,900 | 6.5 |
| 6) Alberta | 2,100 | 7.8 |
| 7) Nova Scotia | 200 | 7.9 |
| 8) New Brunswick | 700 | 8.4 |
| 9) Prince Edward Island | 1,500 | 10.0 |
| 10) Newfoundland & Labrador | -1,700 | 14.8 |
| CANADA | 54,500 | 6.6 |
Source: Statistics Canada
Manitoba saw employment rise of 2,700 as it maintained top spot among the provinces for its unemployment rate of 5.3 per cent.
Prince Edward Island also saw a solid gain of 1,500 jobs, although the unemployment rate effectively held firm at 10 per cent.
Industry Data
Key industry gains were made in professional, scientific and technical services, where 26,000 jobs were added mainly in Ontario and Quebec.
Manufacturing saw its second increase in three months, making up some of the ground lost in 2016. Gains in 2017 now total 43,000 jobs or 2.6 per cent.
Further increases were seen in transportation and warehousing, wholesale and retail trade and health care and social assistance.
Meanwhile, declines were seen in finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing, information, culture and recreation and public administration.
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