February 8, 2019 – Quebec rose to become the Canadian province with the second-lowest unemployment rate, as Canada added 66,800 jobs in January, the latest figures show.
The French-speaking province saw employment growth of 16,400 and an unemployment rate of 5.4 per cent, against the national average of 5.8 per cent.
Only British Columbia has a lower unemployment rate than Quebec, at 4.7 per cent.
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Canada-wide, employment is up 327,000, or 1.8 per cent, in the last 12 months, split evenly between full and part-time work.
Demographically, the monthly employment rise was driven by those aged 15 to 24, who added 53,000 jobs in January.
What Are The Labour Force Survey Highlights?
| Unemployment rate (%) | 5.8 |
| Employment rate (%) | 61.8 |
| Labour force participation rate (%) | 65.6 |
| Number unemployed | 1,162,000 |
| Number working | 18,873,900 |
| Youth (15-24) unemployment rate (%) | 11.2 |
| Men (over 25) unemployment rate (%) | 5.2 |
| Women (over 25) unemployment rate (%) | 4.6 |
Source: Statistics Canada
Provincial Canada Jobs Picture
Despite Quebec being the biggest mover in terms of unemployment rate, Ontario spearheaded the employment gains.
Canada’s largest province added 41,000 jobs in January, although its unemployment rate rose to 5.7 per cent as more people looked for work.
Over the last 12 months, Ontario has added 170,000 jobs, a 2.4 per cent increase.
Which Canadian Province Has the Lowest Unemployment?
| Jobs change August | Unemployment rate (%) | |
| 1) British Columbia | 8,700 | 4.7 |
| 2) Quebec | 16,400 | 5.4 |
| 3=) Saskatchewan | -2,800 | 5.5 |
| 3=) Manitoba | 4,400 | 5.5 |
| 5) Ontario | 41,400 | 5.7 |
| 6) Alberta | -15,500 | 6.8 |
| 7) Nova Scotia | 6,100 | 6.9 |
| 8) New Brunswick | 3,600 | 8.2 |
| 9) Prince Edward Island | 0 | 9.9 |
| 10) Newfoundland & Labrador | 4,800 | 11.4 |
| CANADA | 67,000 | 5.8 |
Source: Statistics Canada
Quebec’s 16,000 employment increase was driven by younger workers. Over the last 12 months, Quebec has added 38,000 jobs, an increase of 0.9 per cent.
Other provinces to see employment increases were Nova Scotia (6,100), Newfoundland & Labrador (4,800), Manitoba (4,400) and New Brunswick (3,600).
Canada Jobs By Industry
Employment growth for January was driven entirely by service-producing industries, which added 99,000 jobs.
Wholesale and retail trade led the way, adding 34,000 jobs, mainly in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
What Are Canada’s Top Technology Occupations?
Elsewhere, professional, scientific and technical services saw an increase of 29,000 jobs, spearheaded by Quebec and Ontario. Jobs in the sector have grown 5 per cent, or 72,000, in the last 12 months,
Quebec and Ontario were also at the forefront of a 21,000 increase in public administration jobs, with the industry seeing a 12-month increase of 27,000 positions, a 2.9 per cent increase.
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