Quebec unemployment dropped sharply to 4.5 percent in February, giving it the lowest rate of all the provinces and the lowest since records began, according to the Canada jobs Labour Market Survey.
The French-speaking province recorded a third consecutive month of jobs increases, adding 20,000 across the month, for a total annual gain of 66,000 jobs.
Overall, Canada added 30,300 jobs in February, while nationwide unemployment increased by 0.1 percentage points to 5.6 percent.
Canada has now added 245,000 jobs in the last 12 months, all in full-time work.
If you are a candidate looking for a Canada job, or an employer looking to recruit foreign talent from abroad, immigration.ca can help. Access our expertise through our in-house recruitment enterprises, www.grnmontreal.com and our newest asset, www.skilledworker.com, “the leader in foreign recruitment”.
Demographically, employment increased by 22,000 for young people aged 15 to 24 in February, with an unemployment rate of 10.3 percent.
For the core-aged population of 25 to 54-year-olds, employment held steady on the month and grew by 72,000 over the last year. The unemployment rate for the demographic was 4.7 percent at the end of February.
Meanwhile, those aged 55 and oversaw unemployment increase to 5.1 percent in February, while the number of people working held steady for the third consecutive month.
What Are The Labour Force Survey Highlights?
| Unemployment rate (%) | 5.6 |
| Employment rate (%) | 61.8 |
| Labour force participation rate (%) | 65.5 |
| Number unemployed | 1,133,800 |
| Number working | 19,189,400 |
| Youth (15-24) unemployment rate (%) | 10.3 |
| Men (over 25) unemployment rate (%) | 4.9 |
| Women (over 25) unemployment rate (%) | 4.7 |
Source: Statistics Canada
Provincial Canada Jobs Picture
Provincially, Quebec stormed to the top of the unemployment chart during February, while there were also gains in Alberta, Nova Scotia and Manitoba.
Alberta added 11,400 jobs for an unemployment rate of 7.2 percent. Most of the gains came in jobs for young people aged 15 to 24.
In Nova Scotia, employment rose by 3,700 in February, with an unemployment rate fo 7.8 percent as more people looked for work.
Manitoba added 3,200 jobs for an unemployment rate of 5 percent.
Which Canadian Province Has the Lowest Unemployment?
| Jobs change February | Unemployment rate (%) | |
| 1) Quebec | 20,000 | 4.5 |
| 2=) British Columbia | -6,500 | 5.0 |
| 2=) Manitoba | 3,200 | 5.0 |
| 4) Ontario | -3,200 | 5.5 |
| 5) Saskatchewan | 500 | 6.2 |
| 6) New Brunswick | 100 | 6.9 |
| 7) Alberta | 11,400 | 7.2 |
| 8) Nova Scotia | 8,700 | 7.8 |
| 9) Prince Edward Island | 300 | 8.0 |
| 10) Newfoundland & Labrador | 700 | 12.0 |
| CANADA | 30,300 | 5.6 |
Source: Statistics Canada
Canada Jobs By Industry
Considering the jobs picture by industry, wholesale and retail trade led the way in February by adding 23,000 jobs over the month, for a total of 57,000 in the year.
Manufacturing also saw a second consecutive month of increases by adding 16,000 jobs, mainly in Ontario.
What Are Canada’s Top Technology Occupations?
Employment in information, culture and recreation grew by 14,000 in February, making it little changed over the last 12 months.
In the private, public and self-employed sectors, employment was little-changed as of the end of February.