Canada Adds 83,000 Jobs as Jobless Rate Falls to 6.9%

Canada’s job market showed strong signs of recovery in June 2025. A total of 83,000 new jobs were added across the country. This is the largest job gain since January. The unemployment rate dropped slightly to 6.9%, giving hope to many Canadians. More people are now working, especially in retail and healthcare sectors.

Part-Time Jobs Push Numbers Up
Most of the new jobs were part-time roles. Around 70,000 part-time jobs helped boost the overall employment figure. The number of employed people aged 15 and older rose slightly to 60.9%. The private sector created 47,000 new jobs, while the public sector added 23,000. Self-employment stayed the same.

Unemployment Rate Falls After Three Months
The jobless rate had been rising for three months. In June, it finally dropped by 0.1%, falling to 6.9%. This small decline shows the economy is improving. However, not everything is perfect. About 22% of unemployed Canadians have been jobless for over six months. That number has gone up since last year.

Working-Age Canadians Lead Job Gains
People aged 25 to 54, known as core-aged workers, led the employment growth. Men in this group added 62,000 jobs. Their employment rate climbed to 86.6%. Women also saw gains, with 29,000 new jobs and a rise in their employment rate to 80.3%. Youth and older workers didn’t see much change.

Retail and Healthcare Sectors Show Strength
The retail sector added 34,000 new jobs in June, showing strong demand. Retail jobs have grown by nearly 3% over the past year. Healthcare and social assistance added 17,000 jobs. This industry is growing steadily due to Canada’s aging population. On the other hand, the agriculture sector lost 6,000 jobs in June.

Some Provinces Outperform Others
Alberta was the top performer, adding 30,000 jobs, mostly full-time. Its jobless rate dropped to 6.8%. Quebec gained 23,000 jobs, mainly in retail. However, its unemployment rate increased slightly because more people started looking for work. Ontario added 21,000 jobs, and Manitoba added 8,500. Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia saw job losses.

Wages Go Up for Canadian Workers
Average hourly wages rose by 3.2% compared to last year, reaching $36.01. This shows that wages are growing faster than inflation. Total hours worked also increased, which means businesses are busier and hiring more staff.

Youth and Students Still Struggling
While adults are finding jobs, young people are still having a tough time. Youth unemployment stayed at 14.2%, higher than it was before the pandemic. Students looking for summer work had an even harder time, with jobless rates rising to 17.4%. Teenagers aged 15 to 16 faced the most difficulty, with over 27% unemployed.

Long-Term Joblessness Still a Problem
Even though more jobs are available, some Canadians are still unemployed for long periods. About 1.6 million people are currently jobless. Many of them have been without work for more than 27 weeks. This suggests that some people are struggling to find the right job for their skills.