Canada’s Unemployment Rate Stays Steady at 6.7% in March 2026

Regional Insights from the March 2026  Labour Market Data  

Employment improved in Manitoba, with a gain of 11,000 jobs. However, the unemployment rate in the province remains the same as February at 5.6%.  

Saskatchewan gained 5,800 jobs and has the lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 5%. Nova Scotia gained 3,900 jobs and had a March unemployment rate of 6.6% 

British Columbia saw some significant losses this month. The province lost 19,000 jobs, following 20,000 jobs lost in February.    

Ontario and Quebec’s unemployment rates held steady compared to February. 

Provincial Unemployment Rates Across Canada in March 2026  

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

Alberta: 6.5%  

British Columbia: 6.7%  

Manitoba: 5.6%  

New Brunswick: 7%  

Newfoundland and Labrador: 9.5%  

Nova Scotia: 6.6%   

Ontario: 7.6%  

Prince Edward Island: 7.3%  

Quebec: 5.4%  

Saskatchewan: 5%  

Changes in Provincial Unemployment from February to March 2026 

CMA Insights 

Where you choose to settle can have a significant effect on your job search. StatsCan notes that many Census Metropolitan Areas with the highest unemployment are in southern Ontario. They include London (9.1%), Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo (8.6%), Windsor (8.5%), Barrie (8.5%), and Toronto (8.1%).  

Statistics Canada says that the ongoing economic uncertainty related to tariffs on exports to the United States is contributing to the higher unemployment rate. Manufacturing is a major industry in the area, and it has been heavily impacted by the tariffs.  

Another reason for the high unemployment rate is sheer population density. More people in a smaller area result in steep competition for jobs. For example, Toronto has the highest population of newcomers in any Canadian city. This means job competition among newcomers can create more challenging conditions. 

A bigger population means more retirement. A recent release from Statistics Canada found that the rate of retirement increased from 183,900 in August 2012 to 276,800 in August 2025. While it may seem that more retirements would create more job opportunities, this does not always lead to immediate hiring. Broader economic conditions can affect whether employers choose to fill vacant roles. 

Conversely, the CMA with the lowest rate of unemployment is Quebec City at 2.6%. Part of this again is because of retirement. As more people retire, they are leaving the labour force, which shrinks the number of people actively looking for work. 

Overall, many CMAs have seen relatively little change in unemployment rates compared to the same period in 2025, suggesting that local labour market conditions have remained fairly stable. 

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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