Canada’s labour market continued to show signs of stability in June, but Alberta moved against the national trend. Statistics Canada reports that the country added 18,000 jobs in June, and the national unemployment rate decreased to 6.5 per cent from 6.6 per cent in May. The gains were slightly stronger than economists had expected, with most forecasting about 10,000 new jobs and no change in the unemployment rate. The June report follows a stronger-than-expected May, when Canada added 88,000 jobs. Despite national gains, Alberta’s unemployment rate rose to seven per cent in June, an increase of 0.4 percentage points from May. Economists suggest the rise is due to more people entering the workforce as the province continues to see rapid population growth. National employment job gains were led by youth and workers aged 25 to 54, while employment declined among those 55 and older. Accommodation and food services saw the most growth, while manufacturing, agriculture, and utilities declined. Statistics Canada notes that manufacturing employment has decreased by 61,000 jobs since January 2025, aligning with ongoing tariff-related uncertainty in the sector. Average hourly wages also increased 3.3 per cent year-over-year to $37.20. This jobs report is the Bank of Canada’s final major labour market update before its next interest rate decision on Wednesday. Finding a job Finding a job after high school proved to be a job in itself for Valery Martinez. The Calgary server said she applied for between 10 and 15 positions through online job boards and company websites before landing one with the help of her brother. “I applied from there, but I never got an answer,” Martinez said. She now works as a server and assistant at a local restaurant but says breaking into the job market wasn’t easy. “It’s so hard. Honestly, I feel like if you don’t know someone, it’s very hard to find a job,” she said. Her experience reflects a broader trend in Alberta’s labour market. Alberta’s youth unemployment rate climbed to 15.8 per cent in June, while the province’s overall unemployment rate reached seven per cent, according to Statistics Canada. Nationally, the youth unemployment rate was 12.7 per cent and the overall unemployment rate was 6.5 per cent. Mark Parsons, chief economist at ATB Financial, said Alberta’s labour market remains unusual because employment and the number of people looking for work are both increasing. “What we’re seeing in the numbers is more jobs but also more job seekers,” Parsons said. He said Alberta continues to attract newcomers because many see the province as a place with strong economic opportunities. “People feel like their futures are in Alberta, so they’re coming here,” Parsons said. “The challenge is creating jobs at the rate people are arriving.” Parsons said growth in the service sector and industries beyond oil and gas helped drive Alberta’s employment gains last month. Martinez said she considers herself fortunate to have found work, while many of her friends continue to struggle despite sending out numerous applications. “I talk to my friends and they’re always complaining because they don’t have a job,” she said. “They apply and apply, and they don’t get anything.”
