OTTAWA – The Canadian economy recorded unexpectedly strong employment growth in June, raising hopes for economic recovery. According to the latest data released by Statistics Canada, 83,000 jobs were added last month, and the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percentage points to 6.9%. This marks the largest employment increase since January and the first decline in the unemployment rate this year.

Positive Signals in the Job Market 

Most of the jobs added in June were part-time positions, with the private sector creating 47,000 new jobs. Canadian employment had largely stagnated or declined since recording a 76,000 job increase in January of this year. Considering that the unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percentage points between March and April and remained stable in May, June's employment figures are clearly interpreted as a positive turning point.

By industry, wholesale and retail trade, and healthcare and social assistance saw the largest job increases. Most other industries experienced little change in employment, with only the agriculture sector seeing a decrease of several thousand jobs. A scene from June 20, 2023, showing farmers working at George II Vineyard near Beamsville, Ontario, illustrates the difficulties in the agricultural sector.

These figures defied expert expectations. A Reuters survey of economists had predicted the unemployment rate to rise to 7.1% and employment to stagnate.

Nathan Janzen, an economist at RBC, analyzed that the job increase signals a "rebound in sentiment" among businesses after concerns over spring tariffs dampened their hiring intentions. However, he pointed out that the threat of President Donald Trump imposing a 35% tariff on all Canadian products still exists, indicating that trade risks have not disappeared.

Long-Term Challenges and Student Unemployment 

Despite the positive June employment figures, Canada's long-term unemployment data still casts a dark shadow. Approximately 1.6 million people remained unemployed last month, and more than one in five jobless individuals were long-term unemployed for 27 weeks or more. This is an increase of 4.1 percentage points from last year.

The situation remains particularly challenging for students seeking summer jobs. The student unemployment rate in June rose to 17.4%, up from 15.8% in June 2024. Statistics Canada stated that this is the highest student unemployment rate since June 2009, excluding the COVID-19 pandemic period. Recent reports from CBC News indicate that students are facing difficulties finding jobs this summer, with some young people and employers discussing the challenges of job searching.

Expert Assessment and Future Outlook 

Benjamin Reitzes, Managing Director of Canadian Rates & Macro Strategy at BMO, described the employment report as "much better than expected," emphasizing that despite most jobs being part-time, there were many generally positive signs. He commented, "By any measure, this report is much better than expected."

However, Reitzes warned that while the Canadian economy appears to be "holding on for now," ongoing tariff disputes could quickly change the situation in the future, suggesting that uncertainty in the trade environment remains a significant variable. While these employment figures have offered a glimmer of hope for the Canadian economy, it's important to remember that volatility could be high depending on changes in the global trade environment.