In May 2025, Canada’s unemployment rate rose to 7.0%, the highest since September 2016, with roughly 1.6 million people without jobs. Employment barely budged—only 8,800 positions added—as full-time gains were offset by declines in part-time and public sector work, while private-sector hiring showed modest strength . Job hunting is taking longer (average duration now 21.8 weeks vs. 18.4 a year ago), and youth—especially students—are struggling, with student unemployment hitting around 20%. Wage growth holds steady at about 3.4%. Sluggish hiring amid population growth suggests softer demand rather than a wave of layoffs. CBC News