Employment Stable in Canada in April 2025 as Unemployment Rises to 6.9%
Employment in Canada showed little change in April 2025, with an increase of 7,400 jobs and the national unemployment rate rising by 0.2 percentage points to 6.9%, according to data released by Statistics Canada.
Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey gathers information each month on employment conditions across the country, helping track changes in jobs, unemployment rates, and workforce participation. The April 2025 results are based on interviews conducted between April 13 and April 19 with about 50,000 respondents. All figures are seasonally adjusted unless otherwise noted, and estimates do not include the territories.
Employment by province varied in April. Ontario’s employment declined by 35,000 jobs (-0.4%), and Nova Scotia saw a decrease of 8,500 jobs (-1.6%). Employment increased in Quebec (+18,000; +0.4%), Alberta (+15,000; +0.6%), Manitoba (+5,700; +0.8%), and Newfoundland and Labrador (+3,800; +1.6%), while other provinces saw little change. The unemployment rate rose in Ontario by 0.3 percentage points to 7.8%. In the Windsor census metropolitan area, the unemployment rate increased to 10.7% (up 1.4 percentage points), while the Toronto area rate remained steady at 8.6%.
By sector, manufacturing employment fell by 31,000 jobs (-1.6%) nationally, with the largest decline in Ontario (-33,000; -3.9%). Wholesale and retail trade employment decreased by 27,000 jobs (-0.9%). Increases were recorded in public administration (+37,000; +3.0%), mainly due to temporary hiring for federal election activities, as well as in finance, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing (+24,000; +1.6%).
Among demographic groups, the number of employed core-aged women (25 to 54 years) fell by 60,000 (-0.9%), mostly in part-time roles, and their unemployment rate increased by 0.4 percentage points to 5.8%. Employment among people aged 55 and older rose by 35,000 (+0.8%), with increases for both men and women. For young men aged 15 to 24, the unemployment rate grew by 1.1 percentage points to 15.4%, which Statistics Canada attributes to more young men looking for work.
Total hours worked in April 2025 were up 0.4% compared to March and by 0.9% over the past 12 months. Average hourly wages for employees rose 3.4% (an increase of $1.20) to $36.13 compared with April 2024. This figure is not seasonally adjusted.
The survey also asked employees about their expectations for workplace staffing over the next six months. Statistics Canada reported that 13.2% of employees aged 15 to 69 expected a decrease in the number of workers at their workplace, with a higher proportion (18.6%) in industries dependent on United States demand for exports. Additionally, 7.7% of employees in this age group agreed or strongly agreed they might lose their main job in the same upcoming period.