Friday, 08 November 2019 / Published in Canada Immigration News Articles

Canada Unemployment Holds Steady In October, With Main Gains In British Columbia

Last Updated on November 8, 2019

2019-11-08 – Canada unemployment remained steady at 5.5 percent in October, according to the latest government data on Canada jobs.

The number of people employed remained constant during the month, meaning 443,000 jobs have been added over the last year.

Provincially, British Columbia was the major mover, adding 15,300 jobs for an unemployment rate for 4.7 percent.

Demographically, the main employment rise was seen in those aged 55 and over, with an increase of 31,000 shared evenly between men and women in the age-group.

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The unemployment rate for the older demographic fell to 4.7 percent.

Men aged 25 to 54 saw employment decline by 29,000 in October, while women in the same age-group saw little change. The unemployment rate stands at 4.7 percent for men and 4.4 percent for women.

Meanwhile, youth unemployment (15 to 24 age-group) fell to 11.3 percent in October, with fewer people in the age-group looking for work.

What Are The Labour Force Survey Highlights?

Unemployment rate (%)	5.5
Employment rate (%)	62.0
Labour force participation rate (%)	65.7
Number unemployed	1,122,700
Number working	19,163,400
Youth (15-24) unemployment rate (%)	11.3
Men (over 25) unemployment rate (%)	4.7
Women (over 25) unemployment rate (%)	4.4

Source: Statistics Canada

Provincial Canada Jobs Picture

B.C. led the way among the provinces, regaining the outright lead as the province with the lowest unemployment. Employment has now risen by 50,000 in the last year in Canada’s western province.

Newfoundland & Labrador also saw positive movement, adding 2,700 jobs for an unemployment rate of 11.1 percent, down 0.4 percentage points in September.

Alberta, meanwhile, added 7,700 jobs in October for an unemployment rate of 6.7 percent.

Which Canadian Province Has the Lowest Unemployment?

	Jobs change October	Unemployment rate (%)
1) British Columbia	15,300	4.7
2) Quebec	-9,500	5.0
3) Saskatchewan	-300	5.1
4=) Manitoba	-1,000	5.3
4=) Ontario	-16,200	5.3
6) Alberta	7,700	6.7
7) Nova Scotia	600	8.0
8) New Brunswick	-1,200	8.1
9) Prince Edward Island	0	8.4
10) Newfoundland & Labrador	2,700	11.1
CANADA	-1,800	5.5

Source: Statistics Canada

Canada Jobs By Industry

Looking at the industry data, the largest gains were seen in public administration, where employment rose by 20,000 in October.

The gains were spread across British Columbia, Quebec, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, with the industry adding 73,000 jobs in the last 12 months.

Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing also saw an increase, this time of 18,000 jobs in October and 64,000 in the last 12 months. The gains were concentrated in Ontario.