Canada’s already record-low unemployment edged down further to 5.2 percent in April, the latest official Canada jobs figures show.
The Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey, released Friday, revealed a more consolidatory set of jobs figures, after the significant employment increases of the last two months.
A major highlight was Quebec, where unemployment fell to 3.9 percent, the lowest of all the provinces and an indication of how tight the labour market has become in the French-speaking province.
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Canada’s employment rate held firm at 61.9 percent in April.
Demographically, the unemployment rate for 25 to 54-year-olds fell to 4.3 percent, the lowest since records began in 1976.
Women in the age group saw employment rise by 43,000 jobs, offset by a 36,000 decline for men.
For both younger people aged 15 to 24 and the 55 and older age group, employment held steady in April.
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What Are The Labour Force Survey Highlights?
|
Unemployment rate (%) |
5.2 |
|
Employment rate (%) |
61.9 |
|
Labour force participation rate (%) |
65.3 |
|
Number unemployed |
1,085,800 |
|
Number working |
19,600,500 |
|
Youth (15-24) unemployment rate (%) |
10.1 |
|
Men (over 25) unemployment rate (%) |
4.5 |
|
Women (over 25) unemployment rate (%) |
4.5 |
Source: Statistics Canada
Provincial Canada Jobs Picture
In Quebec, despite a decrease of 26,500 jobs, unemployment continued to plummet. The province saw employment declines in construction and educational services.
New Brunswick, meanwhile, saw employment increase by 6,700 jobs, beating its pre-COVID level for the first time since pandemic restrictions eased. The province’s unemployment rate dropped to 7 percent.
Further gains in Atlantic Canada were seen in Nova Scotia, which added 5,900 jobs for an unemployment rate of 6 percent, and Newfoundland & Labrador, where unemployment fell to 10.8 percent after 2,500 jobs were added.
Alberta was another solid performer, adding 16,000 jobs in its first notable increase since December 2021. The province’s wholesale and retail industries were the strongest performers, as it saw unemployment drop 0.6 percentage points to 5.9 percent.
Ontario was the only other province to see increased employment, adding 14,300 jobs for an unemployment rate of 5.4 percent.
Unemployment Rates In Canada’s Provinces
|
Jobs change last month |
Unemployment rate (%) |
|
|
British Columbia |
-2,000 |
5.4 |
|
Alberta |
16,000 |
5.9 |
|
Saskatchewan |
-900 |
5.5 |
|
Manitoba |
-500 |
5.0 |
|
Ontario |
14,300 |
5.4 |
|
Quebec |
-26,500 |
3.9 |
|
New Brunswick |
6,700 |
7.0 |
|
Nova Scotia |
5,900 |
6.0 |
|
Prince Edward Island |
-200 |
8.1 |
|
Newfoundland & Labrador |
2,500 |
10.8 |
|
CANADA |
15,300 |
5.2 |
Source: Statistics Canada
Canada Jobs By Industry
Looking at the data by industry, the top performer in April was professional, scientific and technical services.
The industry added 15,000 jobs, adding to the 121,000 increase in the last year, at a rate of 7.3 percent, which is higher than total employment growth.
Public administration also saw growth, for a second consecutive month, this time adding 17,000 jobs, most notably in Quebec. This industry includes those working for federal, provincial, territorial, local, and Indigenous governments, as well as employees of courts and protective services.
