Call us today: 1.800.568.8310
The Canadian employment landscape is constantly changing. Keep up-to-date with the most recent trends with our monthly Employment Update.
Employment rose by 91,000 (+0.4%) in December.
Average hourly wages among employees were down 3.8%.
The unemployment rate declined 0.1 percentage points to 6.7%.
In December, employment increased in Alberta (+35,000; +1.4%).
Employment gains in December were led by educational services (+17,000; +1.1%), transportation and warehousing (+17,000; +1.6%).
In 2024, 675,000 Canadians (2.3% of the population aged 15-69) engaged in paid work through digital platforms, with 498,000 providing services like food delivery (266,000), personal transport (154,000), and content creation (39,000). Digital platform employment represents a component of the gig economy, involving work coordinated through websites or apps. Participation varied by demographics, with higher rates among South Asian (5.2%), Black (4.3%), and Chinese Canadians (3.1%), recent immigrants (5.8%), and men (2.9%), compared to non-racialized Canadians (1.6%) and women (1.7%). Additionally, 54,000 Canadians rented accommodations and 141,000 sold goods through digital platforms.
In 2024, 8.8% of Canadian workers (approximately 1.8 million people) were employed in industries heavily dependent on U.S. demand for Canadian exports1. The sectors most reliant on U.S. demand included oil and gas extraction (74.3%), pipeline transportation (71.7%), primary metal manufacturing (60.8%), and transportation equipment manufacturing (56.0%)1. Regionally, Wood Buffalo-Cold Lake, Alberta had the highest concentration of such jobs at 22.8%1. Workers with lower education levels and men were more likely to be employed in these industries1. Despite potential vulnerabilities, these jobs tended to offer above-average wages, with employees earning 6.5% more than those in other industries1. This data underscores the significant economic ties between Canada and the United States, highlighting both opportunities and potential risks associated with this trade relationship.
In December 2024, several Canadian provinces experienced employment growth. Alberta led with a significant increase of 35,000 jobs (+1.4%), bringing its yearly employment growth to 4.0%, double the national rate. Ontario added 23,000 jobs (+0.3%), British Columbia gained 14,000 (+0.5%), Nova Scotia saw 7,400 new jobs (+1.4%), and Saskatchewan increased by 4,000 (+0.7%). Alberta’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.7%, while Ontario’s remained steady at 7.5%. British Columbia’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 6.0% despite job gains. Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan maintained stable unemployment rates at 6.3% and 5.9%, respectively. In contrast, Manitoba experienced a decline of 7,200 jobs (-1.0%), and Quebec’s employment remained unchanged, though its unemployment rate decreased to 5.6%.
Access Acara's Canada Employment Update in PDF Format
Acara summarizes the latest industry trends each month to keep you informed as you make decisions about the future of your business.
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Canadian workplaces continues to accelerate, bringing both unprecedented opportunities and complex legal challenges. HR professionals and business leaders must stay informed about the evolving regulatory framework to harness AI's potential while mitigating associated risks.
Employment Risks
The implementation of AI systems may lead to substantial changes in employee roles, potentially triggering wrongful dismissal claims. Employers should carefully consider how AI integration might affect job descriptions and employee duties.
Privacy and Data Protection
AI systems must comply with existing privacy laws such as PIPEDA and provincial legislation. Employers need to ensure that AI tools adequately protect confidential information and personal data.
Discrimination and Human Rights
Using AI for recruitment, performance management, and other HR functions could raise human rights concerns. Employers must verify that their AI systems do not inadvertently discriminate based on protected grounds.
Transparency and Disclosure
Recent legislation, such as Ontario’s Bill 149, requires employers to disclose the use of AI in job candidate screening processes.
Acara summarizes the latest industry trends each month to keep you informed as you make decisions about the future of your business.
These programs aim to cultivate transformational leaders who can effectively navigate complex business environments, inspire and empower their teams, and drive strategic organizational goals.
By investing in leadership coaching, organizations can create a ripple effect of positive outcomes, from the individual level to overall company performance.
Align with Company Goals
Assess Leadership Needs
Engage Stakeholders
Involve Managers and Supervisors
Monitor and Evaluate Progress