Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Canada’s unemployment rate fell to 6.5 per cent in November, reaching its lowest point in 16 months, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Friday. The drop marks a significant improvement from October’s 6.9 per cent and follows months of rising joblessness that peaked at 7.1 per cent in September — the highest level since 2016 outside the pandemic years.
The economy delivered an unexpected boost by adding 54,000 jobs in November, registering a third consecutive month of employment growth. Most of the new positions were part-time and concentrated in the private sector. Young workers between 15 and 24 years of age drove much of the improvement after facing a persistently weak job market through most of 2025. Their unemployment rate, though still high, has eased to 12.8 per cent.
Several industries contributed to the national employment surge, including health care and social assistance, accommodation and food services, and natural resources. These gains, however, were partially offset by job losses in wholesale and retail trade, reversing growth recorded in that sector the previous month.
Provincial numbers showed Alberta leading with 29,000 new jobs in November, while New Brunswick and Manitoba also posted notable increases. Employment levels remained unchanged across the other provinces.
Average hourly wages rose 3.6 per cent year-over-year, increasing by $1.27 to reach $37.00, reflecting ongoing wage growth amid shifting labour market conditions.
