What’s Happening in Canada’s Job Market?
Canada recorded 528,000 job vacancies in February 2025. That means more than half a million jobs across the country are waiting for the right candidates. While the number of open jobs has stayed steady for the past six months, it is still lower than what we saw last year. In fact, job openings have dropped by over 131,000 compared to February 2024. This shows a big shift in the job market.
The job vacancy rate, which shows how many jobs are unfilled out of all available positions, is now at 2.9 percent, down from 3.7 percent last year. This means that fewer employers are hiring and more people are looking for work. Right now, for every job vacancy, there are about 2.8 people unemployed. A year ago, it was only 2 people for each job. So yes, finding a job is becoming more competitive in Canada.
Which Industries Are Still Hiring?
Even though job openings have gone down overall, some industries are still actively looking for workers. Three sectors are leading the way—healthcare, hospitality, and retail. These three together make up more than 40 percent of all current job vacancies in Canada.
The healthcare and social assistance sector alone accounts for nearly 20 percent of all job openings. This includes jobs like nurses, caregivers, and hospital staff. Unlike other industries, healthcare actually has more job openings now than it did before the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s the only sector that has grown in that way.
Hospitality, which includes hotels and restaurants, and retail, such as stores and shopping malls, also have many job openings, but both have seen a noticeable drop from last year. Even though they are still hiring, the numbers are going down compared to before.
Which Sectors Are Seeing Fewer Jobs?
Most industries in Canada are seeing fewer job openings than before. In fact, 14 out of 20 sectors had fewer vacancies in February 2025 than the same time last year.
The biggest drop was in the healthcare sector, which is surprising, as it still leads in total job openings. Healthcare lost 24,700 job openings, which is a 19 percent drop. The hospitality industry saw 18,600 fewer openings, a 23 percent decrease, and construction lost around 18,500 jobs—a huge drop of 31.6 percent. There wasn’t a single industry in Canada that showed an increase in job vacancies compared to the year before.
Which Provinces Are Hiring the Most?
Some provinces are doing better than others when it comes to job openings. Ontario had the highest rise, with 14,300 more job vacancies added, bringing its total to nearly 195,000. Manitoba also saw growth, adding 3,200 job openings for a total of around 22,200 jobs.
On the other hand, Quebec saw a drop of 11,400 job openings, now sitting at 116,400 total. Other provinces like Alberta also saw fewer vacancies, showing that job demand depends heavily on the region.
Manitoba had the highest job vacancy rate at 3.5 percent, followed closely by British Columbia at 3.4 percent. In contrast, Newfoundland and Labrador had the lowest rate at just 2.5 percent.
Why Does This Matter to You as an Immigrant?
If you’re planning to move to Canada, this data can help you understand where the opportunities are. The job market is shifting. There are fewer openings overall, but some industries and provinces are still hiring. For example, healthcare workers, people in retail, and those in hospitality have better chances of finding work, especially in places like Ontario and Manitoba.
Understanding the labour market also helps you prepare a better immigration strategy. Canada’s immigration system, especially Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), looks closely at labour demand when selecting candidates.
What are job vacancies in Canada?
Job vacancies are positions that employers are actively trying to fill. In February 2025, there were 528,000 open jobs in Canada.
Why is it harder to get a job now?
The number of jobs has gone down, and more people are looking for work. That means more competition for each job.
Which industries are still hiring?
Healthcare, hospitality, and retail are still hiring in large numbers. Healthcare especially continues to have strong demand.
Are healthcare jobs in demand in Canada?
Yes, very much. For example, Ontario is expected to face a shortage of over 33,000 nurses by 2032. Canada continues to look for qualified healthcare professionals.
Which provinces are best for finding a job?
Right now, Ontario and Manitoba are showing strong job growth. Quebec and Alberta are seeing drops in hiring.
How can this help me immigrate?
Knowing where the jobs are helps you decide which province or immigration program is right for you. Canada often invites workers based on where shortages are the highest.
Would you like a consultation to explore your Canadian work options? Contact Ask Kubeir today!
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