FITCH economist Jessica Heinz said September was another weak month for Canada’s labour market. Although the unemployment rate rose only slightly to 6.5%, employment fell by roughly 110,000 in August and September combined, offsetting nearly half of this year’s spring and early‑summer gains. Heinz said PMI and other survey indicators suggest hiring demand may remain weak for the remainder of the year.

2026-10-09

FITCH economist Jessica Heinz said September was another weak month for Canada’s labour market. Although the unemployment rate rose only slightly to 6.5%, employment fell by roughly 110,000 in August and September combined, offsetting nearly half of this year’s spring and early‑summer gains. Heinz said PMI and other survey indicators suggest hiring demand may remain weak for the remainder of the year.