Canada’s labour market showed renewed strength in June, with the national unemployment rate dropping thanks to the addition of 83,000 new jobs—the first notable employment gain since January, according to Statistics Canada’s latest labour force survey.
The report shows that job growth was concentrated among core-aged Canadians between 25 and 54 years old, and overwhelmingly in part-time positions, which accounted for about 70,000 of the new roles. Despite this uptick, challenges persist for both the youngest and oldest workers in the country. The youth unemployment rate remained steady at a high 14.2 percent, and workers aged 55 and over saw little improvement with a jobless rate of 5.4 percent.
The data also revealed that more Canadians are experiencing long-term unemployment. In June, over 20 percent of unemployed individuals had been looking for work for 27 weeks or more, a noticeable rise from 17.7 percent in June 2024.
While the national figures bring optimism, the picture in parts of Ontario—particularly Windsor—was more concerning. Windsor posted the highest unemployment rate among Census Metropolitan Areas at 11.2 percent, up 2.1 points since January. Ongoing trade disruptions in the automotive manufacturing sector were cited as a major factor. Though Stellantis resumed full production at its Windsor assembly plant in late June, previous temporary shutdowns had already contributed to rising joblessness.
Beyond Windsor, Ontario saw job losses across several sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, natural resources, utilities, and support services. Nationally, the agriculture sector also recorded employment declines, despite the broader gains across the economy.
Statistics Canada emphasized that the layoff rate was largely unchanged compared to the previous year. Still, the varying regional and sectoral outcomes highlight uneven recovery trends as Canada moves through the second half of 2025.
For more detailed insights and the full labour market report, visit www150.statcan.gc.ca.