Canada’s Unemployment Rate Falls To 6.6%

Canada’s unemployment rate edged down 0.1 percentage points to 6.6% in January as the economy added 76,000 net new jobs.Statistics Canada reports that the employment rate across the country rose 0.1 percentage points to 61.1%. The employment gains in January were driven by an increase for youth aged 15 to 24 (up 31,000 positions), adult women (up 36,000), and adult men (up 28,000).Among economic sectors, employment gains were led by manufacturing (up 33,000 jobs), and professional, scientific and technical services (up 22,000). Among Canada’s provinces, employment rose the most in Ontario (up 39,000 jobs), followed by British Columbia (up 23,000), and New Brunswick (up 2,900).Employment was little changed in other areas of Canada during the first month of the year. Average hourly wages paid to Canadian workers rose 3.5% in January, up $1.23 to $35.99. This followed annualized growth of 4% in December.Total hours worked across Canada increased 0.9% in January and were up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis, said the Ottawa-based statistical agency.Canada’s unemployment rate has now declined for two consecutive months, falling from a peak of 6.9% in November 2024.