Canada's unemployment drops to 6.5% in November 2025
On This Page You Will Find:
- Breaking down November's surprising 0.4% unemployment drop and what it signals
- Which provinces are creating the most jobs right now (hint: it's not just Ontario)
- Why 73% of workers feel less secure despite improving job numbers
- Specific industries hiring newcomers and which ones to avoid
- Actionable steps to use this job market shift for your career
Summary:
November 2025 brought Canada's best employment news in months, with unemployment falling from 6.9% to 6.5% and 54,000 new jobs created. But here's what the headlines won't tell you: while the numbers look promising, nearly three-quarters of Canadian workers report feeling less secure about their jobs than two years ago. For newcomers and job seekers, this creates both opportunity and uncertainty. Youth employment surged by 50,000 positions, Alberta's unemployment hit its lowest point since March 2024, and healthcare continues its hiring spree. Yet retail is shedding jobs, and workers across industries worry about layoffs. This guide breaks down exactly what these mixed signals mean for your job search strategy and which moves to make now.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Canada added 54,000 jobs in November, dropping unemployment to 6.5% - the lowest since October 2024
- Youth employment jumped by 50,000 positions, offering hope for recent graduates and young workers
- Alberta leads provincial job growth with 29,000 new positions and 6.5% unemployment
- Healthcare, accommodation, and natural resources are actively hiring while retail struggles
- Despite job growth, 73.6% of workers feel less secure about employment than in 2023
Maria Rodriguez refreshed her job search dashboard for the third time that morning, watching unemployment numbers that seemed to tell two different stories. The headlines screamed about Canada's improving job market, but her LinkedIn feed was full of layoff announcements and worried posts from fellow professionals. Sound familiar?
If you've been navigating Canada's job market lately, you've probably felt this same confusion. November 2025's employment data tells a complex story that goes far beyond the encouraging 6.5% unemployment rate making headlines.
The Real Story Behind November's Job Numbers
Canada's unemployment rate dropped from 6.9% to 6.5% in November – that's 54,000 new jobs in a single month. For perspective, that's like filling Rogers Centre in Toronto with newly employed Canadians. Three months running of solid growth sounds impressive, right?
But here's where it gets interesting. Most of these gains (63,000 out of 54,000) were part-time positions, while full-time employment actually stayed flat. It's like getting a bigger pizza but with thinner slices – technically more, but not necessarily what everyone's hungry for.
The youth employment surge tells a more optimistic story. Young Canadians aged 15-24 gained 50,000 jobs, dropping youth unemployment to 12.8%. If you're a recent graduate or know someone struggling to launch their career, this represents the strongest turnaround we've seen in months.
Average hourly earnings climbed 3.6% year-over-year to $37.00, which means paychecks are growing faster than they have in recent quarters. For someone earning full-time at this average, that's about $1,300 more per year – enough to matter in today's economy.
Where the Jobs Are (And Aren't) Right Now
Let me break down exactly which industries are hiring and which ones you should approach with caution.
Healthcare and social assistance dominated November's growth, adding 46,000 positions. This isn't surprising given Canada's aging population and ongoing healthcare worker shortages, but it's great news if you're a nurse, personal support worker, or healthcare administrator. The demand spans from major cities to rural communities, making this one of the most geographically flexible sectors.
Accommodation and food services bounced back with 14,000 new jobs. After years of pandemic-related struggles, restaurants, hotels, and tourism businesses are finally stabilizing their staffing. While these roles often start at lower wages, they frequently offer flexible scheduling and advancement opportunities for newcomers building Canadian work experience.
Natural resources added 11,000 positions, reflecting continued strength in Canada's mining, forestry, and energy sectors. These jobs often come with higher wages but may require relocation to resource-rich regions like Alberta, Saskatchewan, or northern communities.
On the flip side, wholesale and retail trade shed 34,000 jobs. This reflects ongoing challenges from e-commerce shifts and consumer spending patterns. If you're considering retail management or sales roles, focus on companies with strong online presence or essential goods sectors.
The Hidden Job Security Crisis No One's Talking About
Here's what should concern every worker in Canada: despite these positive employment numbers, job security is at its lowest point in years. Only 73.6% of employees feel confident they won't lose their job within six months – down 4.1 percentage points since 2023.
Think about that for a moment. Even as Canada creates jobs, existing workers feel less secure than they did two years ago. This psychological shift affects everything from consumer spending to career planning.
Young workers feel this uncertainty most acutely. Just 65.3% of youth report feeling secure in their positions, compared to nearly 75% of older workers. If you're starting your career in Canada, building multiple income streams and continuously developing skills becomes even more critical.
The confidence crisis hits hardest in export-dependent industries – those most vulnerable to potential U.S. trade disruptions. Only 68.5% of workers in these sectors feel secure, compared to the national average of 73.6%. This matters because these industries often offer higher wages but come with increased volatility.
Provincial Opportunities: Where to Focus Your Search
Alberta emerged as November's clear winner, adding 29,000 jobs and dropping unemployment to 6.5% – its best performance since March 2024. Both Calgary and Edmonton saw improvements, making Alberta particularly attractive for newcomers willing to consider life outside Toronto or Vancouver.
New Brunswick surprised many by adding 5,500 jobs (a 1.4% increase), dropping unemployment to 6.6%. For a smaller province, this represents significant momentum. The cost of living advantage compared to major urban centers makes this worth serious consideration.
Manitoba gained 4,500 jobs while maintaining a 6.1% unemployment rate – one of Canada's lowest. Winnipeg continues offering that sweet spot of urban amenities with affordable housing that many newcomers find appealing.
Quebec maintains the strongest provincial job market at 5.1% unemployment, though November saw little change in overall employment. The province's unique language requirements create both barriers and opportunities depending on your French proficiency.
Ontario's unemployment eased slightly to 7.3%, but job growth remains sluggish compared to other provinces. While Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area still offer the most diverse opportunities, competition remains intense.
What This Means for Your Job Search Strategy
If you're actively job hunting or planning your move to Canada, these trends suggest several strategic shifts:
Prioritize growing sectors over prestigious companies. Healthcare, accommodation, and natural resources are actively hiring. A role with a smaller healthcare organization might offer better long-term prospects than waiting for an opening at a marquee tech company.
Consider geographic flexibility seriously. Alberta's job growth, New Brunswick's momentum, and Manitoba's stability offer compelling alternatives to the Toronto-Vancouver corridor. Your housing costs could be 40-50% lower while your job prospects improve.
Build part-time experience strategically. Since most job growth is part-time, consider combining multiple part-time roles or using part-time work to gain Canadian experience while continuing your search for full-time positions.
Focus on recession-resistant skills. With job security declining across industries, prioritize skills that remain valuable during economic uncertainty: healthcare, essential services, infrastructure, and digital capabilities that support remote work.
The Immigration Advantage in This Market
For newcomers, this employment landscape creates unique opportunities that established workers might miss. Your fresh perspective and willingness to relocate can be significant advantages when provinces like Alberta and New Brunswick are actively growing their job markets.
Many established Canadian workers feel anchored by mortgages, family connections, or lifestyle preferences that limit their geographic flexibility. As a newcomer, your ability to choose where to settle based on employment opportunities rather than existing ties gives you a strategic edge.
The government-funded pre-arrival employment programs become even more valuable in this environment. Programs like Canada InfoNet offer free support for transitioning to Canadian job market norms and finding career mentors – resources that can accelerate your job search significantly.
Don't overlook the networking advantages of being new. Canadians generally respond positively to newcomers seeking advice and connections. Your questions about Canadian workplace culture or industry practices often lead to valuable conversations and referrals.
Looking Ahead: What December and Beyond Might Bring
Scotiabank describes Canada's labour market as "remarkably resilient," but several factors could influence the coming months. Potential U.S. trade policy changes create uncertainty for export-dependent industries, while seasonal hiring patterns typically slow in January and February.
The Canadian dollar's response to these employment numbers (it jumped on the news) suggests markets view this data positively. However, the disconnect between job creation and worker confidence indicates underlying economic tensions that could affect hiring decisions.
Interest rate expectations have shifted based on these numbers, with investors now anticipating stable rates before potential increases in 2026. For job seekers, this suggests continued access to credit for education, training, or relocation expenses.
Winter hiring typically slows in many sectors, but healthcare and essential services continue year-round recruitment. If you're planning your job search timeline, consider that February through April often see increased hiring as companies implement new-year budgets and plans.
Your Next Steps in This Evolving Market
Start by honestly assessing your geographic flexibility. If you've been focused exclusively on Toronto or Vancouver, spend time researching opportunities in Alberta, New Brunswick, or Manitoba. Use online tools to compare cost of living and quality of life factors.
Update your resume to emphasize adaptability and cross-functional skills. In an environment where job security is declining, employers value workers who can wear multiple hats and adapt to changing business needs.
Consider the part-time pathway strategically. Rather than viewing part-time work as settling for less, use it as a way to build Canadian references, understand workplace culture, and maintain income while pursuing your ideal full-time role.
Network intentionally within growing industries. Attend virtual events, join professional associations, and connect with workers in healthcare, natural resources, or accommodation sectors. These industries' hiring momentum creates more networking opportunities.
Canada's November employment data offers genuine reasons for optimism, but success requires understanding the nuances behind the headlines. The job market is creating opportunities, but they're distributed unevenly across regions, industries, and employment types.
Your ability to navigate this landscape depends on staying informed about these trends while remaining flexible about where and how you build your Canadian career. The numbers suggest opportunity is there – the question is whether you're positioning yourself to capture it.
FAQ
Q: What does Canada's unemployment drop to 6.5% actually mean for job seekers right now?
The 6.5% unemployment rate represents 54,000 new jobs created in November 2025, which is genuinely positive news for job seekers. However, the reality is more nuanced than headlines suggest. About 63,000 of these new positions were part-time roles, while full-time employment remained flat. This means there are more opportunities available, but you may need to be strategic about combining part-time work or using these roles as stepping stones to full-time positions. For newcomers to Canada, this creates an advantage since you can gain Canadian work experience through part-time roles while continuing to search for your ideal position. The key is viewing this market as offering multiple pathways to employment rather than expecting traditional full-time opportunities to dominate.
Q: Which provinces should I focus on for the best job opportunities in this market?
Alberta stands out as the clear winner, adding 29,000 jobs in November and achieving 6.5% unemployment - its best performance since March 2024. Both Calgary and Edmonton are seeing growth across multiple sectors. New Brunswick surprised many by adding 5,500 jobs (a significant 1.4% increase) while offering much lower living costs than major urban centers. Manitoba gained 4,500 jobs while maintaining one of Canada's lowest unemployment rates at 6.1%. Quebec continues to lead with 5.1% unemployment, though French proficiency is essential. While Ontario's Greater Toronto Area offers the most diverse opportunities, unemployment remains higher at 7.3% with intense competition. For newcomers willing to consider life outside Toronto-Vancouver, Alberta and the Maritime provinces offer compelling combinations of job growth and affordability.
Q: Why do 73% of workers feel less secure despite improving job numbers, and how should this affect my career planning?
This security crisis reflects a fundamental shift in Canada's employment landscape that goes beyond basic job availability. Workers are experiencing increased anxiety about layoffs, reduced benefits, and economic uncertainty despite positive unemployment statistics. Young workers feel this most acutely, with only 65.3% feeling secure compared to 75% of older workers. Export-dependent industries show particular vulnerability, with only 68.5% of workers feeling confident about job security due to potential trade disruptions. For your career planning, this means prioritizing recession-resistant skills like healthcare, essential services, and digital capabilities. Build multiple income streams when possible, maintain an updated network, and focus on developing transferable skills that remain valuable during economic uncertainty. Consider this an opportunity to be more strategic about skill development and industry selection rather than just seeking any available position.
Q: Which specific industries are actively hiring newcomers, and which ones should I avoid right now?
Healthcare and social assistance dominated November's growth with 46,000 new positions, spanning from urban hospitals to rural care facilities - excellent for newcomers with relevant credentials or willingness to retrain. Accommodation and food services added 14,000 jobs as tourism stabilizes, offering flexible scheduling perfect for building Canadian work experience. Natural resources gained 11,000 positions with higher wages, though often requiring relocation to resource-rich regions like Alberta or northern communities. These sectors actively welcome newcomers and often provide pathways for advancement. Avoid wholesale and retail trade, which shed 34,000 jobs due to e-commerce shifts and changing consumer patterns. If considering retail, focus only on companies with strong online presence or essential goods sectors. Manufacturing also shows weakness in certain regions. The key is targeting growth sectors where your fresh perspective and adaptability are viewed as assets rather than competing in declining industries.
Q: How can I use this employment data to improve my job search strategy right now?
Start by expanding your geographic search beyond Toronto and Vancouver - Alberta's 29,000 new jobs and New Brunswick's growth momentum offer real opportunities with lower competition and living costs. Prioritize growing sectors over prestigious company names; a healthcare role in Winnipeg might offer better long-term prospects than waiting for tech openings in Toronto. Since most growth is part-time, develop a strategy to combine multiple part-time roles or use them strategically to gain Canadian experience while job searching. Update your resume to emphasize adaptability and cross-functional skills, as employers increasingly value workers who can handle multiple responsibilities. Network intentionally within healthcare, accommodation, and natural resources through virtual events and professional associations. Use government-funded pre-arrival programs if you're a newcomer - these provide free mentorship and industry connections that can accelerate your search significantly. Focus on building relationships rather than just submitting applications, as Canadian employers highly value referrals and cultural fit.
