Canada’s Unemployment Rate Jumps to 6.7% in February

Regional Insights from the February 2026 Labour Market Data 

Employment improved in Newfoundland and Labrador, with a gain of 2,100 jobs. However, the unemployment rate in the province remains high at 9.2%. 

Quebec saw some significant losses this month. Jobs declined by 57,000 after three months of almost no change. It also represents the biggest employment decrease since January 2022.  

Three western provinces also reported some job losses with 20,000 jobs lost in British Columbia, 5,500 in Saskatchewan and 4,000 in Manitoba.  

Provincial Unemployment Rates Across Canada in February 2026 

Here are the provincial unemployment rates in Canada, based on StatsCan data from January 2026: 

• Alberta: 6.3% 
• British Columbia: 6.1% 
• Manitoba: 5.7% 
• New Brunswick: 7% 
• Newfoundland and Labrador: 9.2% 
• Nova Scotia: 7.1%  
• Ontario: 7.6% 
• Prince Edward Island: 7.2% 
• Quebec: 5.9% 
• Saskatchewan: 5.6% 

Changes in Provincial Unemployment from January to February 2026 

Most Jobs Lost in Years 

Today’s report shows the most jobs lost in any one month since the pandemic. In fact, 108,000 fewer people were working full-time in February. Still, If you’re thinking about moving to Canada, StatsCan notes that the overall unemployment rate hasn’t changed much from the 6.6% we saw in February 2025. 

Across all industries, the private sector was hardest hit with 73,000 jobs lost, but the public sector (those who work for the provincial or federal government) saw little change. 

The report also says that nearly 23% of the 1.5 million unemployed people in Canada had been unemployed and looking for work for more than 27 weeks. 

Working as a Newcomer Woman in Canada 

Highlighting International Women’s Day, Statistics Canada reports that there were 10 million women employed in Canada in February, making up 47.3% of total employment. 

While this is certainly an improvement over the 1970s, when data on the subject started being collected, there is still a persistent wage gap. 

Right now, on average, women in Canada earn $0.88 for every dollar a man makes. Put another way, the average core-aged working woman in Canada makes an average hourly wage of $37.62, while men earn $42.55. Statistics Canada says the gap has reduced over time due to higher education among women. 

However, the Canadian Women’s Foundation notes that the gap is wider for newcomer women. The average pay disparity between newcomer women and Canadian men  comes in around 20.9% for women who arrive in Canada as adults, and 10.9% for those who arrive as children. 

Expert resources to help immigrants get jobs in Canada

Canada’s job market provides a wealth of opportunity for newcomers, but it is only that — an opportunity.

To take full advantage, recent and prospective immigrants can leverage free government-funded resources and programs. We recently partnered with Canada InfoNet, a government-funded pre-arrival employment support program, to bring you two expert guides on transitioning to a career in Canada:

• Transitioning to the Canadian job market
• How to find a career mentor in Canada

The outlook on Canadian construction and infrastructure

Ruairi Spillaine, Outpost Recruitment and Moving2Canada founder, analyzes what’s happening in the construction sector in Canada.

“Canada’s construction sector continues to provide opportunities to experienced candidates who can differentiate themselves in a tighter employment market. While commercial and residential sectors are slower, institutional buildings and a buoyant infrastructure sector continue to drive employment opportunities from coast to coast. Meanwhile, Canada’s industrial sector including nuclear, mining and renewables is set for a strong 2026.“

 

If you are interested in working in Canada’s construction sector, Outpost helps motivated candidates find suitable jobs in Canada.

The agency works with general contractors, subcontractors, developers, and consultants who are hiring across senior management, operations, project management, site, design, quality, and commercial personnel.

Outpost Recruitment is actively looking for candidates for projects across Canada. View the latest job postings here.

How to get a job in Canada

If you’re looking for a job in Canada here are some steps you can take to land that sweet, sweet Canadian job offer.

• Get your resume in good shape. This crucial step is often left down the list of job seekers’ priorities, despite being arguably the most important step of all. Read our Canadian resume guide to get going.
• Start looking at open opportunities. Some companies are still hiring. Don’t believe us? Head over to our Jobs Board, populated daily with new positions across Canada.
• Build your network. You can assemble a team to help you in your job search. With ongoing physical distancing and travel restrictions, technology is your friend here. Read our networking guide, written by award-winning entrepreneur Ruairi Spillane, for expert advice.

Here’s a popular webinar from recruitment expert and Moving2Canada founder, Ruairi Spillane, about how to create the best resume for the Canadian jobs market:

New and improved Jobs Board

We have worked hard over recent weeks to ramp up the number and range of job postings on our Jobs Board.

We also have a number of other resources for helping you find your career in Canada. You’ll find broad-stroke information that will arm you with the knowledge you need to succeed, as well as industry-specific insights into finding jobs by industry, such as teaching.

Want to dig deeper into the Canada Jobs Report data? Try these interactive tools, courtesy of StatsCan.

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