Canada's unemployment rate rises to 6.7% in October

Employment in Canada was little changed in October 2026 (down 4,700, or 0.0%), after declines of 68,000 in September and 42,000 in August, Statistics Canada reported on 6 November 2026. The unemployment rate rose 0.2 percentage points to 6.7%, a second monthly increase, as more people searched for work (Statistics Canada, The Daily, 6 November 2026).

Key figures, October 2026 (seasonally adjusted)

• Employment: down 4,700 (0.0%)
• Unemployment rate: 6.7%, up 0.2 points; below the recent peak of 6.9% in April 2026
• Employment rate: 60.5%, down 0.1 points, the third monthly decline in a row
• Youth unemployment rate (15 to 24): 13.7%, up 0.7 points
• Average hourly wages: up 2.2% on the year to $37.89, after 2.3% in September (not seasonally adjusted)

Private and public sectors

The number of private-sector employees fell by 53,000 (0.4%), the first decline since February. Public-sector employees rose by 50,000 (1.1%), after four monthly declines totalling 148,000. Self-employment was little changed.

Industries and provinces

Wholesale and retail trade lost 29,000 jobs (1.0%); the industry is down 113,000 (3.7%) over 12 months. Construction added 16,000 and educational services 15,000. Employment fell by 24,000 in Alberta, where the unemployment rate rose 0.9 points to 7.3%, and rose by 12,000 in British Columbia. In Ontario the unemployment rate rose 0.3 points to 7.3%, while in Quebec it fell 0.3 points to 5.7%.

Of the 1.5 million people unemployed in October, 23.7% had been looking for work for 27 weeks or more, up from 21.5% a year earlier.

Context and next release

The Bank of Canada raised its policy rate to 2.50% on 28 October (decision). September's report: Canada loses 68,000 jobs in September. The US jobs report came out at the same time: US payrolls rise 165,000 in October.

The November survey is released on 4 December 2026 and reflects the week of 8 to 14 November. Live prices: USD/CAD.