Canada Loses 18,000 Jobs in April as Unemployment Hits 6.9%
Updated
Updated · The Hub · May 12
Canada Loses 18,000 Jobs in April as Unemployment Hits 6.9%
3 articles · Updated · The Hub · May 12
April payrolls fell by 18,000 and Canada’s unemployment rate rose to 6.9%, a six-month high, with losses concentrated in full-time work and participation edging up to 65%.
111,800 private-sector jobs have disappeared since the start of 2026, while public-sector hiring that had long cushioned the market also weakened, with 8,700 government jobs lost in the first four months.
26,800 goods-producing jobs vanished in April, including 16,000 in construction, as U.S. tariffs, CUSMA uncertainty and broader business caution hit trade-exposed employers; services added only 9,100 jobs.
14.3% youth unemployment and 497,200 job vacancies in February—down 5.5% from a year earlier—point to a softer market, with 3.1 unemployed Canadians competing for each opening.
40,000 planned federal public-service cuts by 2029 could deepen the strain, while economists say any recovery depends heavily on resolving the U.S. trade dispute and reviving private-sector hiring.
As Ottawa cuts 40,000 jobs, can a new multi-billion dollar government fund truly fix Canada's shrinking private sector?
With a critical U.S. trade deal review looming, is Canada's manufacturing sector headed for an even deeper collapse?
With youth unemployment soaring, is Canada's immigration policy fueling a generational job crisis for its youngest workers?
Canada’s April 2026 Labor Market: Job Losses, Wage Growth, and Uneven Recovery Across Provinces
Overview
Canada's labor market showed clear signs of weakness in April 2026, as job losses replaced the modest gains seen in March and the unemployment rate remained elevated. Subdued economic growth and persistent challenges for job seekers, especially youth and the unemployed, continued to weigh on the employment landscape. The shift from job gains to losses highlighted the fragility of the market, with experts warning that these difficult conditions are likely to persist throughout the year. This environment reflects ongoing headwinds and underscores the need for careful monitoring and targeted support for vulnerable groups.