Canada’s employment was essentially flat in December 2025 (+8.2k; 0.0% MoM), while the unemployment rate rose to 6.8% (+0.3 ppts) as labor force participation increased.

• Employment rose +8.2k in December after three straight monthly gains in Sep-Nov totaling +181k (+0.9%), keeping the employment rate unchanged at 60.9%.

• The unemployment rate increased to 6.8% (+0.3 ppts), partially offsetting the prior two-month decline of -0.6 ppts; the number of unemployed rose +73k (+4.9%) to 1.6M.

• The participation rate rose to 65.4% (+0.3 ppts), with the unemployment rate increase explicitly attributed to more people searching for work.

• By age, employment increased for those 55+ (+33k; +0.8%) but fell for youth 15-24 (-27k; -1.0%), showing weakness concentrated among younger workers.

• Youth unemployment rose to 13.3% (+0.5 ppts) after conditions improved in Oct-Nov (youth employment +70k; +2.6% and youth unemployment -1.9 ppts over those two months).

• Full-time employment rose +50k (+0.3%) while part-time fell -42k (-1.1%), partially reversing October-November’s cumulative part-time gain of +148k (+3.9%).

• Industry employment gains were led by health care and social assistance (+21k; +0.7%) and “other services” (+15k; +2.0%), while professional, scientific and technical services (-18k; -0.9%), accommodation and food (-12k; -1.0%), and utilities (-5.3k; -3.0%) declined.

• Provincial results were mixed: Quebec added +16k (+0.3%), while Alberta (-14k; -0.5%) and Saskatchewan (-4k; -0.6%) saw declines, and other provinces showed little change.

• Average hourly wages increased +3.4% YoY to $37.06 (+$1.23), easing slightly from +3.6% YoY in November (NSA).