Canada Job Market October 2025 Sees 67,000 New Positions and a Stronger Employment Rate

New data shows the Canada job market October 2025 delivered another month of solid growth, adding 67,000 positions and pushing the employment rate to 60.8%. With unemployment dipping to 6.9%, interest is rising around whether this improvement can hold through the winter months.

A Second Month of Momentum

October built on September’s gains, reversing the declines recorded during the summer. This steady rise suggests that employers are still moving forward despite strikes, labour disputes, and uncertainty around trade tensions.

Men aged 25 to 54 our saw the largest boost, followed closely by younger workers. For both groups, part-time positions played a major role, while full-time growth stayed on track compared with earlier months.

What the Canada Job Market October 2025 Numbers Reveal

Service-producing industries drove most of the new hiring. Wholesale and retail roles led the surge, followed by transportation, information, and recreation. Utilities also posted a noticeable jump.

Construction was the biggest drag, falling by 15,000 positions. Even so, the overall labour picture remained positive as gains in services more than offset losses in goods-producing sectors.

Ontario Leads the Provincial Gains

Ontario added 55,000 jobs, marking its first month of growth since June. Parts of the province had struggled earlier due to tariff uncertainty and manufacturing volatility, but October’s rebound suggests employers are regaining confidence. Newfoundland and Labrador also saw an increase that balanced recent declines.

Manitoba and Nova Scotia moved in the opposite direction, and Quebec held steady with fewer residents actively seeking work.

Wages Rise While Work Hours Dip

Average hourly pay climbed 3.5% year over year, reaching $37.06. This rise points to firms adjusting to long-term labour pressures, retirements, and inflation.

Despite higher employment, total work hours slipped due to teacher strikes in Alberta that temporarily closed schools. These disruptions affected more than 87,000 workers.

Financial Stress Continues for Many Households

Almost one in three Canadians reported difficulty meeting basic costs such as food, utilities, and transportation. Renters were more likely to face challenges than homeowners, and single parents had the highest rate of pressure.

Regions in Southern Ontario showed the strongest link between financial strain and higher unemployment, while cities like Quebec, Halifax, and Victoria reported fewer concerns.

The Canada Job Market October 2025 Points to Steady Progress

If current trends continue, the Canada job market October 2025 may signal the early stages of a broader recovery. With stronger hiring, rising wages, and improved job-finding rates, the outlook appears cautiously optimistic as the year draws to a close.