Canadian Unemployment at 5.5%

September 9 2023 - Statistics Canada reported that employment rose by 40,000 in August but the unemployment rate remained at 5.5% as more people looked for work due to population growth. This followed three consecutive monthly increases. Employment rose in Alberta, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island in August but fell in Nova Scotia. There was little change elsewhere.

The unemployment rate had fallen to 4.9% in June and July - the lowest since records began in 1976. It had reached 13.7% at its worst in May 2020, compared with 5.6% in February 2020.

Seasonally adjusted, unemployment rates vary from 8.9% (Newfoundland and Labrador) to 4.3% (Quebec). (Quebec).

Rates for provinces were (previous month in brackets):

• Newfoundland and Labrador 8.9% (8.7%)
• Prince Edward Island 7.6% (8.1%)
• Nova Scotia 7.0% (7.7%)
• New Brunswick 7.7% (6.2%)
• Quebec 4.3% (4.5%)
• Ontario 5.9% (5.6%)
• Manitoba 5.7% (4.9%)
• Saskatchewan 5.4% (5.1%)
• Alberta 5.7% (6.1%)
• British Columbia 5.2% (5.4%)

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