On This Page You Will Find:
- Latest job vacancy numbers in Canada
- Key sectors with the most job openings
- Regional trends in vacancies
- Sector-by-sector breakdown
- Frequently asked questions
February 2025: Canada Reports 528,000 Job Vacancies
In February 2025, Canada recorded 528,000 job vacancies, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada. The number of open positions has stayed steady for six months, but is down nearly 20 percent compared to a year earlier — a drop of over 131,000 jobs.
The job vacancy rate, which measures the share of unfilled jobs compared to total available positions, held at 2.9 percent for the month. That’s down from 3.7 percent in February 2024, showing that demand for workers has eased over the past year.
Unemployment Still Outpaces Open Jobs
There were 2.8 unemployed people for every job vacancy in February, compared to 2.0 one year earlier. This ratio hasn’t changed since August 2024, apart from brief increases in November and January. It reflects a shift in Canada’s labour market, where job seekers are facing more competition.
Healthcare, Hospitality and Retail Still Drive Demand
Three industries made up over 40 percent of all job vacancies in February:
- Health care and social assistance: 19.9 percent
- Accommodation and food services: 11.6 percent
- Retail trade: 10.1 percent
While health care continues to face high vacancy rates, it remains the only sector with more openings now than before the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, hospitality and retail have seen significant year-over-year declines.
Which Sectors Saw the Most Change?
- Finance and insurance added 7,500 vacancies, rising to 22,100 positions
- Management of companies and enterprises lost 600 vacancies, falling to just 1,800 positions
- Transportation and warehousing continued its steady decline, dropping 1,200 jobs to reach its lowest level since 2017
Across all industries, 14 of the 20 sectors saw fewer vacancies than the same time last year. The biggest drops were:
- Health care and social assistance: down 24,700 jobs (–19.0%)
- Accommodation and food services: down 18,600 jobs (–23.3%)
- Construction: down 18,500 jobs (–31.6%)
No sector posted a year-over-year increase in job vacancies.
Provinces Show Mixed Results
Ontario and Manitoba saw the biggest increases in job vacancies:
- Ontario: up 14,300 jobs (total 194,600)
- Manitoba: up 3,200 jobs (total 22,200)
Quebec, however, reported a drop of 11,400 vacancies, bringing its total to 116,400.
The highest vacancy rates were in:
- Manitoba: 3.5 percent
- British Columbia: 3.4 percent
The lowest rates were in:
- Newfoundland and Labrador: 2.5 percent
- Quebec and Alberta also saw notable drops in job vacancy rates compared to last year
FAQ
What are job vacancies in Canada?
Job vacancies are positions employers are actively looking to fill. In February 2025, there were 528,000 open roles across the country.
Which sectors have the most job openings in Canada?
Healthcare, hospitality, and retail lead the way. These three sectors account for over 40 percent of all current job vacancies.
How does the job vacancy rate affect workers?
The job vacancy rate shows how many jobs are available. A lower rate means more competition for each job, which can make finding work harder.
Why are job vacancies declining in some provinces?
Economic shifts, sector-specific slowdowns, and reduced hiring activity have led to fewer job postings in places like Quebec and Alberta.
Is Canada’s labour market getting tighter or looser?
The market is tightening. More people are looking for work, and fewer jobs are open than a year ago. The unemployment-to-job vacancy ratio reflects this change.
