Payroll employment in Canada rose by 45,600 in January 2026, up 0.2% from December after a small decline the month before, Statistics Canada reported . Year over year, payroll employment was also up 0.2%. Average weekly earnings, including overtime, reached $1,320.46, a 2.0% increase from January 2025. Job gains were concentrated in educational services, construction, finance and insurance, and health care and social assistance, while retail trade posted the largest drop. Job

The Government of Canada announced temporary measures allowing rural employers to increase the proportion of low-wage temporary foreign workers they can hire from 10% to 15% of their workforce. The change is intended to help rural businesses address persistent labour shortages and will apply from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, following a request from a province or territory. At the same time, sector-specific rules will remain in place: employers in the health care,

The Government of Canada has announced the extension of temporary special measures under the Employment Insurance Work-Sharing program to help employers facing economic slowdowns avoid layoffs and retain their workforce. The flexibilities will now remain in place until March 31, 2027, giving businesses more time to stabilize while employees continue working reduced hours and receive partial Employment Insurance support for lost income. Since the program’s expansion, more tha

Canada is shifting its immigration strategy to prioritize high-skilled professionals and economic sustainability. On February 18, 2026, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab revealed new Express Entry categories designed to fill labour gaps. The new update introduces priority streams for researchers, senior managers, and aviation experts. Additionally, the government will streamline immigration pathways for foreign military personnel for roles within the Canadian Armed Forc

As Canada prepares for its next national census in May 2026, Statistics Canada has announced a massive hiring initiative to fill approximately 32,000 positions across the country. These roles are open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and individuals with valid work permits, providing a unique temporary employment opportunity for newcomers and residents alike. Census workers will play a critical role in gathering the demographic, social, and economic data that direct

Ontario is introducing new labour mobility and free-trade rules starting January 1, 2026. These reforms will make it easier for certified professionals from other Canadian provinces to start working in Ontario without delays. More than 300 regulated occupations will benefit, helping employers fill critical shortages faster. The changes also support health-care staffing by simplifying recognition for out-of-province professionals. Under these new rules, certified professional

Starting January 1, 2026, Ontario employers with 25 or more employees will need to follow updated job posting rules under the Employment Standards Act. Employers must now include clear compensation ranges in all publicly advertised job ads, and these ranges may not exceed $50,000 unless the job pays more than $200,000. Employers are also not allowed to require Canadian work experience in job postings, helping reduce barriers for international talent. If artificial intelligen

Conservative Shadow Minister for Employment Garnett Genuis has announced a comprehensive Youth Jobs Plan aimed at addressing Canada's youth unemployment crisis, which currently affects over 460,000 young Canadians—nearly 15% of those aged 15 to 24. The plan includes four key pillars: unleashing economic growth through tax cuts and reduced regulatory barriers, fixing the immigration system by improving credential recognition and aligning immigration with labour market needs,

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) are cutting hundreds of positions as part of federal...