The Canadian economy added 8,200 jobs in December, but the unemployment rate rose to 6.8% as more job seekers entered the labor market.
The increase in full-time employment offset a decline in part-time employment, resulting in better-than-market net growth.
The data follows three months of strong job growth, after much of 2025 saw limited hiring due to trade uncertainty and U.S. tariffs.
Job growth was concentrated in the health care sector, while the professional and technical sector recorded its first decline since August.
Wage growth remained moderate, supporting the Bank of Canada’s view that interest rates should remain unchanged to keep inflation near target.
