October 9, 2017 – Canada maintained its lowest unemployment rate since 2008 in September 2017, according to the latest government data.
Statistics Canada says a small employment increase of 10,000 over the month saw the unemployment rate hold steady at 6.2 per cent.
Encouragingly, there were significant gains in full-time employment (112,000 jobs), almost entirely offset by losses in part-time work.
Read More
Are you looking for a Canada job? Are you an employer looking to hire a skilled worker? Visit skilledworker.com for all your foreign recruitment needs.
The year to September has seen a growth of 320,000 jobs, spearheaded again by gains in full-time work, although the third quarter of 2017 saw slower growth (0.2 per cent) than the other two quarters.
September also saw employment gains for those aged 55 and older, and a drop for men aged 25 to 54. These statistics are further evidence of Canada’s aging population, a key driver behind rumoured plans to increase the number of immigrants welcomed here in 2018.
Canada’s Jobs Snapshot
End August | End September | |
Unemployment rate (%) | 6.2 | 6.2 |
Employment rate (%) | 61.6 | 61.6 |
Labour force participation rate (%) | 65.7 | 65.6 |
Number unemployed | 1,226,600 | 1,214,100 |
Number working | 18,444,100 | 18,454,100 |
Youth (15-24) unemployment rate (%) | 11.5 | 10.3 |
Men (over 25) unemployment rate (%) | 5.5 | 5.8 |
Women (over 25) unemployment rate (%) | 5.2 | 5.1 |
Source: Statistics Canada
Canada Jobs Provincial Picture
Provincially, Ontario contributed the biggest jobs gain while British Columbia saw its unemployment rate drop below 5 per cent.
In Ontario, the employment rise of 34,700 jobs was the fourth gain in the last five months, driven by gains in wholesale and retail trade, and educational services. The provincial unemployment rate of 5.6 per cent puts it third behind B.C. and Manitoba. Ontario has now added 170,000 jobs in the last year for a 2.4 per cent employment rise.
Read More
Canada Sees Largest Quarterly Jobs Increase Since 2010
More Canada Jobs Gains In May, New Record For Quebec
Canada Unemployment At Its Lowest Since 2008
B.C.’s unemployment rate of 4.9 per cent puts it top of the provincial scene, after Manitoba saw its unemployment rate rise 0.6 percentage points to 5.5 per cent in September. Manitoba’s employment decline of 5,500 jobs was its first notable drop since April 2016, although the province continues on an upwards trend.
Quebec unemployment remained steady at 6 per cent, although employment fell slight by 7,600 jobs in September. The French-speaking province has now seen a jobs rise of 54,000 on the year, and a drop in unemployment of 0.9 percentage points over the same period.
Jobs Data in the Provinces
Jobs change September | Unemployment rate (%) | |
1) British Columbia | -6,700 | 4.9 |
2) Manitoba | -5,500 | 5.5 |
3) Ontario | 34,700 | 5.6 |
4) Quebec | -7,600 | 6.0 |
5) Saskatchewan | 0 | 6.2 |
6) New Brunswick | 700 | 7.8 |
7) Alberta | -7,800 | 7.9 |
8) Nova Scotia | 2,300 | 9.0 |
9) Prince Edward Island | -700 | 9.5 |
10) Newfoundland & Labrador | 500 | 15.1 |
CANADA | 10,000 | 6.2 |
Source: Statistics Canada
Canada Jobs By Industry
Looking at the jobs picture by industry, Ontario and Quebec drove an increase of 20,000 jobs in the educational services sector.
Elsewhere, a September rise of 17,000 jobs in wholesale and retail trade means the industry has added 99,000 jobs on the year for a growth rate of 3.6 per cent.
The public sector saw a monthly jobs increase of 22,000, while the private sector was unchanged. Both have seen healthy rises on the year, of 103,000 in the public sector and 162,000 in the private sector.
Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.
Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.
Read more news about Canada Immigration by clicking here.