Canadian Unemployment at 6.5%

February 6 2026 - Statistics Canada reported that employment fell by 25,000 (-0.1%) largely women's jobs in January and the unemployment rate fell by 0.3% to 6.5% as fewer people looked for work. Employment in Ontario fell by 67,000 (-0.8%). Some provinces recorded employment increases in January: Alberta (+20,000; +0.8%), Saskatchewan (+6,100; +1.0%) and Newfoundland and Labrador (+3,800; +1.6%). Employment was largely unchanged elsewhere.

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 9.2% (Newfoundland and Labrador) to 5.2% (Quebec). (Quebec).

Rates for provinces were (previous month in brackets):

• Newfoundland and Labrador 9.2% (10.5%)
• Prince Edward Island 7.6% (7.1%)
• Nova Scotia 6.9% (6.4%)
• New Brunswick 6.7% (6.5%)
• Quebec 5.2% (5.3%)
• Ontario 7.3% (7.9%)
• Manitoba 6.3% (5.7%)
• Saskatchewan 5.3% (6.4%)
• Alberta 6.4% (6.7%)
• British Columbia 6.1% (6.3%)

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