Canada’s employment fell by 33,000 in March, marking the first decline since January 2022 and defying expectations of a 12,000 increase. The drop was driven by a loss of 62,000 full-time jobs (-0.4%), offsetting prior growth. The employment rate fell to 60.9% (-0.2 pp). Private sector jobs declined by 48,000, while public sector and self-employment remained stable. Employment declined in wholesale and retail trade (-29,000), as well as information, culture and recreation (-20,000). There were increases in the 'other services', such as personal and repair services (+12,000) and utilities (+4,200). Across Canadian provinces, employment fell in Ontario (-28,000) and Alberta (-15,000), while it increased in Saskatchewan (+6,600). Job losses were notable among men aged 55+ (-21,000), with their employment rate falling for a third month. Employment among core-aged men (25-54) also declined (-16,000), while women’s employment remained steady. Youth employment showed little change. source: Statistics Canada

Employment in Canada decreased by 32.60 in March of 2025. Employment Change in Canada averaged 19.04 Thousand from 1976 until 2025, reaching an all time high of 1035.80 Thousand in June of 2020 and a record low of -1991.40 Thousand in April of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - Canada Employment Change - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Canada Employment Change - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2025.

Employment in Canada decreased by 32.60 in March of 2025. Employment Change in Canada is expected to be 10.00 Thousand by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Canada Employment Change is projected to trend around 30.00 Thousand in 2026 and 25.00 Thousand in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2025-03-07 01:30 PM
Employment Change
Feb 1.1K 76K 20K 15.0K
2025-04-04 12:30 PM
Employment Change
Mar -32.6K 1.1K 12K 25K
2025-05-09 12:30 PM
Employment Change
Apr -32.6K 24.5K 12.0K


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Hourly Wages 36.80 36.94 CAD Mar 2025
Employed Persons 20961.90 20994.50 Thousand Mar 2025
Employment Change -32.60 1.10 Thousand Mar 2025
Employment Rate 60.90 61.10 percent Mar 2025
Full Time Employment Chg -62.00 -19.70 Thousand Mar 2025
Job Vacancies 547785.00 547605.00 Dec 2024
Participation Rate 65.20 65.30 percent Mar 2025
Labour Costs 133.34 133.05 points Dec 2024
Minimum Wages 17.20 16.55 CAD/Hour Oct 2024
Non Farm Payrolls 18233.00 18282.00 Thousand Feb 2025
Part Time Employment Chg 29.50 20.80 Thousand Mar 2025
Population 41.53 40.78 Million Dec 2024
Labor Productivity 102.37 101.78 points Dec 2024
Unemployed Persons 1508.80 1472.70 Thousand Mar 2025
Unemployment Rate 6.70 6.60 percent Mar 2025
Average Weekly Earnings YoY 5.40 5.60 percent Feb 2025
Wages 31.52 31.23 CAD/Hour Feb 2025
Wages in Manufacturing 31.46 31.54 CAD/Hour Feb 2025
Youth Unemployment Rate 13.70 12.90 percent Mar 2025

Canada Employment Change
In Canada, employment change refers to the change in the number of persons who work for pay or profit, or perform unpaid family work. Estimates include both full-time and part-time employment.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-32.60 1.10 1035.80 -1991.40 1976 - 2025 Thousand Monthly
Volume, SA


News Stream
Canada Employment Unexpectedly Falls
Canada’s employment fell by 33,000 in March, marking the first decline since January 2022 and defying expectations of a 12,000 increase. The drop was driven by a loss of 62,000 full-time jobs (-0.4%), offsetting prior growth. The employment rate fell to 60.9% (-0.2 pp). Private sector jobs declined by 48,000, while public sector and self-employment remained stable. Employment declined in wholesale and retail trade (-29,000), as well as information, culture and recreation (-20,000). There were increases in the 'other services', such as personal and repair services (+12,000) and utilities (+4,200). Across Canadian provinces, employment fell in Ontario (-28,000) and Alberta (-15,000), while it increased in Saskatchewan (+6,600). Job losses were notable among men aged 55+ (-21,000), with their employment rate falling for a third month. Employment among core-aged men (25-54) also declined (-16,000), while women’s employment remained steady. Youth employment showed little change.
2025-04-04
Canada Employment Growth Nearly Stalls
Employment in Canada rose by 1,100 in February 2025, slowing from the 57,000 rise in January and missing market expectations of a 20,000 increase. The change was driven by a 51,000 increase in wholesale and retail trade and a 16,000 rise in finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing, while employment declined by 33,000 in professional, scientific and technical services and by 23,000 in transportation and warehousing. Provincially, employment fell notably in Nova Scotia (-4,300), while other provinces recorded little change.
2025-03-07
Canada Job Growth Triples Expectations
Employment in Canada advanced by 76,000 in January 2025, marking the sixth consecutive monthly increase, following a 91,000 rise in the previous month and exceeding market expectations of a 25,000 increase. The growth was driven by a 35,000 surge in full-time employment, marking the third consecutive monthly increase, while part-time employment rose by 41,000, ending a three-month decline. Significant job gains were recorded in manufacturing (+33,000), professional, scientific and technical services (+22,000), construction (+19,000), and accommodation and food services (+15,000). Provincially, employment rose notably in Ontario (+39,000), British Columbia (+23,000), and New Brunswick (+2,900), while Quebec saw little change. Employment remained largely unchanged in other provinces.
2025-02-07