Here is a quick glance at unemployment rates for April, by province, based on the latest data from Statistics Canada. The national unemployment rate held steady at 5.8 percent, with regional variations across the country.
Provincial Breakdown
Newfoundland and Labrador posted the highest unemployment rate at 9.2 percent, followed by Prince Edward Island at 8.5 percent. Nova Scotia recorded 7.1 percent, while New Brunswick came in at 6.8 percent.
Quebec's unemployment rate fell to 4.5 percent, its lowest level in recent months. Ontario remained relatively stable at 5.6 percent. Manitoba saw a slight increase to 5.2 percent, while Saskatchewan held at 5.0 percent.
Alberta's unemployment rate dropped to 5.9 percent, benefiting from strength in the energy sector. British Columbia continued to lead with the lowest rate at 4.2 percent, driven by robust job growth in construction and services.
Territories and National Trends
Among the territories, Yukon reported an unemployment rate of 3.8 percent, Northwest Territories at 4.1 percent, and Nunavut at 12.5 percent. Nationally, employment increased by 41,000 jobs in April, with gains in full-time positions offsetting part-time losses.
Economists noted that wage growth remained strong, averaging 5.2 percent year-over-year, which may put pressure on the Bank of Canada to hold interest rates steady. The sectors with the largest job gains included health care and social assistance, professional services, and construction.
Statistics Canada also highlighted that youth unemployment (ages 15-24) fell to 9.8 percent, the lowest since early 2020. However, long-term unemployment remained a concern, with 20 percent of unemployed individuals having been jobless for 27 weeks or more.
Overall, the April jobs report painted a picture of a resilient labor market, though regional disparities persist. The next unemployment report is expected in June, which will provide further insight into economic trends.
