Canada’s employment fell by 68,000 in September 2026, following a decline of 42,000 in August, Statistics Canada reported on October 9. The unemployment rate increased from 6.4 to 6.5 per cent.
Young workers accounted for a large part of the September decline: employment among people aged 15 to 24 fell by 48,000. Educational services lost 35,000 positions, health care and social assistance lost 23,000, and manufacturing lost 13,000. These demographic and industry breakdowns describe overlapping parts of the labour market and should not be added together.
The monthly setback differs from the annual picture. Total employment was still 95,000 higher than in September 2025, an increase of 0.5 per cent. Health care and social assistance also employed 93,000 more people than a year earlier despite its September decrease.
Public sector employment fell by 70,000, its fourth consecutive monthly decline, while private sector employment was little changed. Quebec and British Columbia recorded declines of 49,000 and 20,000 respectively; Alberta added 23,000 jobs.
The figures are survey estimates covering the September 13–19 reference week, and Statistics Canada cautions that monthly changes can show sampling variability. National estimates exclude the territories.
Reuters also covered the release through CTV News on October 9. This brief uses Statistics Canada’s rounded employment figures. The agency’s next Labour Force Survey release is scheduled for November 6.
