Canadian Unemployment at 6.9%

June 5 2026 - Statistics Canada reported that employment rose by 88,000 (+0.4%) in May and the unemployment rate fell by 0.3% to 6.6%.Employment increased in Ontario (+42,000; +0.5%), British Columbia (+25,000; +0.9%), Alberta (+14,000; +0.5%) and Prince Edward Island (+1,200; +1.3%), while it fell in Saskatchewan (-6,100; -1.0%).

Historically, the unemployment rate had fallen to 4.9% in June and July 2023 - the lowest since records began in 1976. It had reached 13.7% at its worst in May 2020.

Seasonally adjusted, unemployment rates vary from 9.6% (Newfoundland and Labrador) to 5.5% (Manitoba). (Quebec).

Rates for provinces were (previous month in brackets):

• Newfoundland and Labrador 9.6% (10.0%)
• Prince Edward Island 6.7% (8.0%)
• Nova Scotia 7.1% (6.3%)
• New Brunswick 7.2% (7.2%)
• Quebec 5.6% (6.2%)
• Ontario 7.0% (7.5%)
• Manitoba 5.5% (5.0%)
• Saskatchewan 6.2% (5.6%)
• Alberta 6.6% (7.0%)
• British Columbia 6.8% (6.8%)

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