- The Canadian economy added 259,000 jobs in February, exceeding expectations and bringing the unemployment rate down to 8.2%.
- The majority of job gains were in full-time positions and were concentrated in industries such as healthcare, social assistance, and education.
- The employment gains were largely driven by Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec, and were seen across all age groups and genders.
Editor’s Notes: In this report, we have used data from the Statistics Canada website.
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a monthly survey conducted by Statistics Canada to provide up-to-date information on the Canadian labor market. The March 2023 LFS results were released on April 6, 2023, and they indicate a slight increase in employment and no change in the unemployment rate.
Employment Rate
According to Labour Force Survey, Employment rose by 35,000 (+0.2%) in March, following little change in February and strong growth in January (+150,000) and December (+69,000). Employment has generally trended up since September 2022, with an increase of 383,000 people employed over that period (+1.9%). The total number of employed persons in Canada was 20,089,000 in March 2023, according to Table 14-10-0287-01.
Unemployment Rate
According to Labour Force Survey, The unemployment rate held steady at 5.0% in March, the same as in February. The unemployment rate refers to the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. In March, there were 1,491,700 unemployed persons in Canada, which was down by 4,800 people from February.
Employment by Industry through Labour Force Survey
According to Labour Force Survey, The employment gains in March were concentrated among private sector employees (+35,000; +0.3%). There was little change in the number of public sector employees and self-employed workers.
Employment in Transportation and Warehousing
The transportation and warehousing industry saw the largest increase in employment, with 41,000 more people employed (+4.2%) in March compared to February. This increase offset the net decline of 41,000 from February 2022 to January 2023.
Employment in Business
The business, building, and other support services industry added 31,000 jobs (+4.4%) in March, following a decline in February 2023. The industry includes activities that support the day-to-day operations of organizations, ranging from waste management to administrative services. The number of workers in this industry in March was the highest since February 2020.
Employment in Finance, Insurance, and Real estate
The finance, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing industry added 19,000 jobs (+1.3%) in March, continuing an upward trend over the last year. On a year-over-year basis, employment in the industry grew by 58,000 (+4.3%).
Employment in Construction Industry
The construction industry saw a decline of 19,000 jobs (-1.2%) in March, following little change in February and partly offsetting cumulative increases of 42,000 in December and January.
Employment in Natural Resources
The number of people employed in natural resources fell by 11,000 (-3.2%) in March, following eight months of little change. This decline was concentrated in Quebec (-5,000; -11.8%), which accounted for almost half of the monthly national decrease.
Employment in Health Care
Employment in health care and social assistance was little changed in March, following increases in January (+40,000; +1.5%) and February (+15,000; +0.6%). The number of job vacancies in the sector increased to its highest level on record in January.
Employment in Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Employment in professional, scientific, and technical services held steady in March for a third consecutive month. On a year-over-year basis, employment in the industry was up 5.2% (+93,000), largely reflecting strong gains in the spring and fall of 2022.
Employment by Province through Labour Force Survey
Employment increased in Ontario (+21,000; +0.3%), Alberta (+14,000; +0.6%), Manitoba (+3,300; +0.5%), and Prince Edward Island (+1,
200; +0.4%) in January 2022. Meanwhile, employment decreased in Quebec (-35,000; -0.8%), British Columbia (-18,000; -0.7%), New Brunswick (-2,200; -0.6%), and Nova Scotia (-1,700; -0.4%). Saskatchewan’s employment remained relatively unchanged in January.
Ontario’s Employment
According to Labour Force Survey, Ontario’s employment gains in January were mainly in wholesale and retail trade, construction, and professional, scientific, and technical services. Alberta saw job gains in health care and social assistance, finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing, and information, culture, and recreation. Manitoba’s employment gains were in finance, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing, as well as health care and social assistance. Prince Edward Island’s employment gains were in agriculture, transportation and warehousing, and professional, scientific, and technical services.
Quebec’s Employment
According to Labour Force Survey, Quebec’s employment losses in January were concentrated in accommodation and food services, manufacturing, information, culture, and recreation. British Columbia saw job losses in wholesale and retail trade, transportation and warehousing, and accommodation and food services. New Brunswick’s employment losses were mainly in wholesale and retail trade and manufacturing, while Nova Scotia’s job losses were concentrated in accommodation and food services, as well as public administration.
Despite the monthly fluctuations, the employment picture across Canada has improved compared to the same time last year. In January 2022, the national employment level was 347,000 (+1.9%) higher than in January 2021. The gains in employment were spread across various industries and provinces, with notable gains in health care and social assistance, professional, scientific, and technical services, and finance, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing.
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Unemployment by Province through Labour Force Survey
The unemployment rate in Canada decreased by 0.2 percentage points in January 2022 to 6.8%, the lowest rate since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The unemployment rate declined in most provinces, except for Quebec, which saw an increase in its unemployment rate.
Ontario Unemployment
According to Labour Force Survey, In Ontario, the unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 6.4%, while Alberta’s unemployment rate decreased by 0.4 percentage points to 5.4%. Manitoba’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.2%, while Prince Edward Island’s unemployment rate increased by 0.1 percentage points to 7.3%.
Quebec’s Unemployment
According to Labour Force Survey, Quebec’s unemployment rate increased by 0.3 percentage points to 6.3%, the highest among all provinces. British Columbia’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.2%, while New Brunswick’s unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 6.9%. Nova Scotia’s unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage points to 7.7%, the highest among all provinces.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Employment Rate | Rose by 35,000 (+0.2%) in March |
| Generally trended up since September 2022 | |
| 20,089,000 people employed in Canada in March 2023 | |
| Unemployment Rate | Held steady at 5.0% in March |
| 1,491,700 unemployed persons in Canada in March 2023 | |
| Employment by Industry | |
| Private sector employees | Increased by 35,000 (+0.3%) in March |
| Public sector employees | Little change in the number of employees |
| Self-employed workers | Little change in the number of workers |
| Employment by Industry (continued) | |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 41,000 more people employed (+4.2%) in March |
| Business, Building, and Other Support Services | 31,000 jobs added (+4.4%) in March |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Rental, and Leasing | 19,000 jobs added (+1.3%) in March |
| Construction | 19,000 jobs lost (-1.2%) in March |
| Natural Resources | 11,000 jobs lost (-3.2%) in March |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | Little change in employment in March |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Little change in employment in March |
| Employment by Province | |
| Ontario | Employment increased by 21,000 (+0.3%) in January 2022 |
| Alberta | Employment increased by 14,000 (+0.6%) in January 2022 |
| Manitoba | Employment increased by 3,300 (+0.5%) in January 2022 |
| Prince Edward Island | Employment increased by 1,200 (+0.4%) in January 2022 |
| Quebec | Employment decreased by 35,000 (-0.8%) in January 2022 |
| British Columbia | Employment decreased by 18,000 (-0.7%) in January 2022 |
| New Brunswick | Employment decreased by 2,200 (-0.6%) in January 2022 |
| Nova Scotia | Employment decreased by 1,700 (-0.4%) in January 2022 |
Conclusion
In conclusion, according to Labour Force Survey the Canadian economy added 19,900 jobs in January 2022, with gains in Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island, and losses in Quebec, British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The national unemployment rate decreased to 6.8%, the lowest rate since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with declines in most provinces, except for Quebec. Despite the monthly fluctuations, the employment picture across Canada has improved compared to the same time last year, with notable gains in health care and social assistance, professional, scientific, and technical services, and finance, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing.
