Canada's unemployment rate increased to 6.9 per cent in April, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Friday. The economy lost 18,000 jobs during the month, while more individuals entered the labor force seeking employment.
Youth unemployment surges
The unemployment rate among youth aged 15 to 24 rose sharply to 14.3 per cent. For men aged 25 to 54, the rate stood at 6.1 per cent. The overall jobless rate has climbed steadily over the first four months of 2026, with a cumulative loss of 112,000 jobs nationwide.
Regional disparities
Job losses were heavily concentrated in Quebec, which has shed 87,000 positions so far this year. Employment increased in Ontario, but declines were recorded in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick. Other provinces and territories showed little change.
Average hourly wages rose 4.5 per cent year-over-year in April, following a 4.7 per cent increase in March. This suggests that while employment is contracting, wage growth remains relatively strong.
More details on the labor market trends are expected to follow as analysts digest the full report.
