March 8, 2019 – Canadian employment grew by nearly 56,000 jobs in February, contributing to growth of approaching 370,000 in the last year, according to the latest Labour Force Survey.
Gains in full-time work were the major contributor to the growth, as the Canada unemployment rate held steady at 5.8 per cent.
The 12-month employment growth was made up of 266,000 full-time workers, and 103,000 in part-time positions.
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Young people aged 15 to 24 saw the biggest increases of the demographic groups, adding 29,000 jobs in February. The month was the major contributor to a 12-month increase of 37,000 jobs in the age bracket.
For the core working age group of 25 to 54-year-olds, there was negligible change in February, with the demographic group adding 221,000 jobs in the last 12 months.
Similar results were seen for those aged 55 and over, with a 111,000 increase in the last 12 months.
What Are The Labour Force Survey Highlights?
| Unemployment rate (%) | 5.8 |
| Employment rate (%) | 62.0 |
| Labour force participation rate (%) | 65.8 |
| Number unemployed | 1,161,300 |
| Number working | 18,929,800 |
| Youth (15-24) unemployment rate (%) | 10.8 |
| Men (over 25) unemployment rate (%) | 5.2 |
| Women (over 25) unemployment rate (%) | 4.7 |
Source: Statistics Canada
Jobs Data In The Provinces
Ontario was the major mover among Canada’s provinces, adding 37,000 jobs in February for an unemployment rate of 5.7 per cent. Canada’s largest province has now added 192,000 jobs in the last year, an increase of 2.7 per cent.
Quebec also had a strong month, with nearly 15,000 more people finding work. The French-speaking province’s unemployment rate shrunk to 5.3 per cent with an increase of 55,000 jobs in the last 12 months.
Alberta (3,800), British Columbia (3,600), New Brunswick (1,500) and Nova Scotia (1,400) also saw jobs increases in February.
B.C. remains the province with the lowest unemployment, at 4.5 per cent.
Which Canadian Province Has the Lowest Unemployment?
| Jobs change February | Unemployment rate (%) | |
| 1) British Columbia | 3,600 | 4.5 |
| 2=) Quebec | 14,900 | 5.3 |
| 2=) Manitoba | -3,300 | 5.3 |
| 4) Ontario | 36,900 | 5.7 |
| 5) Saskatchewan | -1,300 | 5.8 |
| 6) Nova Scotia | 1,400 | 6.4 |
| 7) Alberta | 3,800 | 7.3 |
| 8) New Brunswick | 1,500 | 8.5 |
| 9) Prince Edward Island | -500 | 10.3 |
| 10) Newfoundland & Labrador | -1,400 | 11.8 |
| CANADA | 55,900 | 5.8 |
Source: Statistics Canada
Canada Jobs By Industry
Canada’s best performing industry for jobs in February was professional, scientific and technical services, adding 18,000 jobs mainly in Ontario and Quebec. Jobs in the sector are now up 97,000, or 6.8 per cent, in the last 12 months.
Public administration also saw a solid increase of 14,000 jobs, driven by Ontario and Alberta. The sector has seen an increase of 34,000 jobs in the last year.
What Are Canada’s Top Technology Occupations?
Further increases were seen in natural resources (8,000 jobs) and agriculture (6,000). Agriculture increases were concentrated in Quebec.
Combined increases in the public and private sectors saw 41,000 jobs added in February, while the number of self-employed workers was little changed.
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