In February 2025, Canada lost 49,000 payroll jobs, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada. This drop followed a small increase of 14,400 jobs in January. Payroll jobs are counted as people who officially receive pay and benefits from their employer, based on data from the Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours (SEPH).
Despite the overall decline, some sectors still added jobs. The health care and social assistance sector led the way in job gains, showing that demand in this area continues to grow. In contrast, the biggest job losses happened in educational services, accommodation and food services, and retail trade—sectors that are more sensitive to seasonal changes and economic shifts.
At the same time, Canada still had 528,000 job vacancies in February. This number has remained steady for six months but is down by 131,100 vacancies (-19.9%) compared to February 2024. The job vacancy rate stayed at 2.9%, slightly lower than 3.7% a year ago. What does this mean? Simply put, there are more people looking for jobs than there are openings—with 2.8 unemployed people competing for every job, up from 2.0 the year before.
Even with the job loss, many industries are still hiring. The sectors with the most job openings include health care and social assistance (104,900), accommodation and food services (61,300), retail trade (53,200), construction (40,000), professional, scientific and technical services (39,400), and manufacturing (37,300). These numbers show that skilled workers in certain areas are still in demand.
The highest job vacancy rates were in accommodation and food services (4.5%), other services (4.2%), and health care and social assistance (4.1%). Meanwhile, the lowest vacancy rates were seen in utilities (1.0%), educational services (1.2%), and management of companies (1.4%).
On the income side, average weekly earnings in Canada increased by 5.4% year-over-year in February, reaching $1,298. This growth reflects changes in wages, job types, and work hours. The highest paying sectors were mining, oil and gas ($2,429), utilities ($2,291), information and culture ($1,850), finance and insurance ($1,788), and public administration ($1,683).
Wages also varied across provinces. For example, Alberta reported average weekly earnings of $1,353, Ontario at $1,340, and British Columbia at $1,299. The highest earnings in the country were found in the Northwest Territories ($1,731.94) and Nunavut ($1,721.44).
Despite wage growth, a recent H&R Block Canada report showed that 74% of Canadians are worried they’re not saving enough. This reflects the rising cost of living and financial stress faced by many households.
FAQs – Ask Kubeir Explains
What does this job loss mean for immigrants planning to move to Canada?
The job losses were focused in specific sectors. If you’re in a growing field like health care, trades, or tech, your chances of finding work are still strong.
Is it harder to get a job in Canada now?
It’s slightly more competitive, but plenty of jobs are still available in sectors that need skilled workers.
Are wages still going up in Canada?
Yes. Average earnings increased by 5.4% over the past year, and some industries have seen even bigger growth.
Should I worry if I work in a sector that lost jobs?
Not necessarily. You can consider reskilling or exploring a related field with stronger job demand.
Would you like a consultation to explore your Canadian work options? Contact Ask Kubeir today!
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