Canadian SMB Wages Rise 4.2% in April as Employment Slips 0.9%
Updated
Updated · Canadian HR Reporter · May 12
Canadian SMB Wages Rise 4.2% in April as Employment Slips 0.9%
4 articles · Updated · Canadian HR Reporter · May 12
April pay at Canadian small and medium-sized businesses rose 4.2% from a year earlier, beating 2.4% inflation even as SMB employment fell 0.9% nationally.
Nearly 3,000 SMBs in Employment Hero’s survey showed hiring did not stop but became more selective, with casual employment jumping 12.7% as firms leaned on flexible staffing.
Retail, hospitality and tourism led the gains: employment in those summer-facing sectors rose 3.8% and wages surged 10.6%, the fastest increase among industries tracked.
Saskatchewan and Alberta outperformed, with employment up 5.7% and 2.0%, while Ontario and British Columbia lagged at down 1.8% and 4.4% even as wages kept rising.
The mixed SMB picture follows Statistics Canada data showing national employment was little changed in April after 18,000 jobs were lost and unemployment climbed to 6.9%.
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.