Canada Adds 60,000 Jobs in Strong September 2025 Recovery
Canada’s Job Market Bounces Back: A September Surge
After two consecutive months of decline, Canada’s job market has made a robust recovery in September 2025, adding 60,000 jobs and boosting the employment rate to 60.6%, according to Statistics Canada. This resurgence is largely attributed to significant gains in the manufacturing, health care, and agriculture sectors, indicating a revitalized labor market. However, the unemployment rate remains unchanged at 7.1%, as more Canadians are returning to the workforce.
Full-Time Employment Drives Growth
The rebound in employment is predominantly attributed to the rise in full-time positions, which saw an increase of 106,000 jobs, marking a 0.6% growth. In contrast, part-time employment experienced a decline of 46,000 jobs, or 1.2%. Notably, core-aged workers, particularly women between the ages of 25 and 54, enjoyed substantial employment growth, with an increase of 76,000 jobs, while their male counterparts saw a rise of 33,000 jobs.
Provincial Highlights: Alberta Leads the Way
Alberta emerged as the leader among provinces with an impressive gain of 43,000 jobs, a 1.7% increase, bolstered by the manufacturing and agriculture sectors. New Brunswick and Manitoba followed with moderate growth, while Newfoundland and Labrador saw a slight decline of 2,200 jobs. Ontario and Quebec reported minimal changes in employment levels.
Sector-Specific Growth and Challenges
The manufacturing sector added 28,000 jobs, while health care and social assistance increased by 14,000 jobs. Agriculture saw a notable 6.1% rise, adding 13,000 jobs. However, wholesale and retail trade faced a decline, losing 21,000 jobs. Average hourly wages increased by 3.3% year-over-year, reaching $36.78, reflecting stable wage growth and a strong demand for skilled workers.
Challenges for Youth and Older Workers
Despite overall employment growth, workers aged 55 and above experienced a decline of 44,000 jobs. Youth employment remained stagnant, with the youth unemployment rate rising to 14.7%, its highest since 2010, excluding pandemic years. This increase is primarily due to reduced hiring among students.
Addressing Skills Mismatch
A significant issue identified by Statistics Canada is the growing skills mismatch, with 16.4% of postsecondary-educated workers employed in jobs unrelated to their studies. Additionally, a high percentage of recent immigrants report being overqualified for their current roles, underscoring the need for improved job alignment and credential recognition.
Economic Outlook: A Positive Shift
The employment surge in September 2025 marks a positive shift in Canada’s job market, with strong contributions from Alberta and the manufacturing sector. While challenges persist, the overall trend suggests renewed stability and expanding opportunities for both local and international talent. For professionals and skilled workers, this is an opportune moment to explore employment prospects in a country that values skill, education, and opportunity.
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