Canada Employment Change1976-2021 Data | 2022-2023 Forecast | Calendar | Historical

The Canadian economy shed 213 thousand jobs in January of 2021, well above market forecasts of a 47.5 thousand decline and following 53 thousand drop in the previous month. Losses were entirely in part-time work and were concentrated in Central Canada, with losses in Ontario and Quebec totalling 251,000. Employment also fell in Newfoundland and Labrador. Employment declined in January in three services-producing industries most affected by new and continuing public health restrictions: accommodation and food services (-8.2%), retail trade (-7.4%), and information, culture and recreation (-2.4%). Employment losses were more than twice as large among youth aged 15 to 19 (-74,000; -9.3%) than among those aged 20 to 24 (-34,000; -2.2%).

The Canadian economy shed 63 thousand jobs in December of 2020, compared to market forecasts of a 27.5 thousand decline and following a 62.1 thousand increase in the previous month. It was the first decrease in employment since April, as part-time jobs fell by 99 thousand while full-time work went up by only 36.5 thousand. Self-employment decreased by 62 thousand to its lowest point since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, while the number of employees in both the public and private sectors was little changed. Employment declined in Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Prince Edward Island and held steady in the other six provinces. Employment fell in industries most directly affected by new and continuing public health measures, including accommodation and food services (-56.7 thousand); "other services" (-30.8 thousand) and information, culture and recreation (-18.8 thousand).

The Canadian economy created 62 thousand jobs in November of 2020, well above forecasts of a 20 thousand rise and after an 83.6 thousand increase in October. Still, it is the lowest number since the recovery began six months ago as full-time work went up by only 99 thousand and 37 thousand part-time jobs were shed. Self-employment stalled and compared to public sector and private sector employees, employment in this group remained furthest from the February pre-COVID level. Increases were seen in Ontario, British Columbia and in all four Atlantic provinces. Employment growth resumed in the goods-producing sector in November, with most of the increase in construction. At the same time, employment in the services-producing sector was little changed, for the first time since the recovery began in May. Among youth aged 15 to 24, employment rose 0.9% from October, while the youth unemployment rate fell 1.4 percentage points to 17.4%.

The Canadian economy created 83.6 thousand jobs in October 2020, below market forecasts of a 100 thousand rise and after a 378.2 thousand increase in September. Most of the employment increase was in full-time work (+69,000). Self-employment increased for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Increases were seen in five provinces (Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island). Meantime, employment growth stalled in transportation and warehousing, and in construction, while it resumed in retail trade. Among youth aged 15 to 24, employment was little changed from September. Employment remained further from full recovery for youth than for all other major age groups.