OTTAWA — Canada's national unemployment rate held steady at 6.5 per cent in November, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada released on December 5, 2025. The figures, which reflect a seasonally adjusted three-month moving average, show a mixed picture across the country's major cities, with some regions experiencing slight improvements while others saw minor upticks in joblessness. While the national rate remained unchanged from the previous month, urban centers from coast to coast revealed varied economic pressures, influenced by factors such as seasonal hiring, industrial shifts, and ongoing recovery efforts in key sectors.
Statistics Canada emphasized the preliminary nature of the city-level data, noting that these rates are derived from smaller sample sizes compared to national figures. "It cautions, however, that the figures may fluctuate widely because they are based on small statistical samples," the agency stated in its report. This disclaimer underscores the volatility in local labor markets, where even small changes in employment can significantly impact percentages. For instance, in Atlantic Canada, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, maintained its unemployment rate at 7.4 per cent, the same as in October, signaling stability in a region historically tied to fishing and energy industries.
Further east, Halifax saw a modest decline to 5.7 per cent from 5.8 per cent the prior month, potentially buoyed by tourism and service sector jobs heading into the holiday season. In New Brunswick, Moncton experienced a more notable drop to 6.5 per cent from 7.2 per cent, while Saint John edged down to 7.4 per cent from 7.8 per cent. Fredericton remained steady at 6.7 per cent. These improvements in the Maritimes could reflect seasonal adjustments in retail and construction, though economists watching the region have pointed to broader challenges like population outflows and reliance on federal transfers.
Moving into Quebec, the province generally fared better than the national average, with several cities posting low unemployment. Saguenay dipped slightly to 5.0 per cent from 4.7 per cent, a minor increase that might relate to manufacturing slowdowns. Quebec City fell to 4.2 per cent from 4.4 per cent, continuing its trend as one of the stronger performers. Sherbrooke saw a small rise to 5.4 per cent from 5.5 per cent, while Trois-Rivières improved to 3.9 per cent from 4.2 per cent. Drummondville posted a sharper decline to 4.9 per cent from 5.8 per cent, possibly driven by gains in aerospace and advanced manufacturing.
Montreal's rate eased to 5.9 per cent from 6.3 per cent, offering some relief in Canada's second-largest city amid concerns over tech layoffs and immigration-driven labor supply. However, Gatineau rose slightly to 7.6 per cent from 7.4 per cent, contrasting with neighboring Ottawa, which dipped to 7.3 per cent from 7.4 per cent. The Ottawa-Gatineau corridor, home to federal government jobs, has been navigating budget constraints and remote work transitions since the pandemic.
In Ontario, the picture was more fragmented, with larger urban areas showing persistent challenges. Kingston improved to 5.6 per cent from 6.1 per cent, and Belleville-Quinte West held at 8.8 per cent. Peterborough saw a slight uptick to 6.0 per cent from 5.7 per cent. Oshawa edged up to 8.6 per cent from 8.5 per cent, reflecting auto sector vulnerabilities. Toronto's rate fell to 8.4 per cent from 8.7 per cent, a welcome sign for the economic powerhouse, though it remains above the national average amid high living costs and office vacancy rates.
Hamilton climbed to 7.3 per cent from 7.0 per cent, while St. Catharines-Niagara improved to 6.6 per cent from 7.2 per cent. Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo rose to 7.8 per cent from 7.3 per cent, highlighting strains in the tech hub. Brantford saw a decline to 9.0 per cent from 9.9 per cent, and Guelph held nearly steady at 8.3 per cent from 8.4 per cent. London improved to 7.0 per cent from 6.5 per cent, wait no—actually, it rose from 6.5 to 7.0 per cent, indicating potential softening in healthcare and education sectors.
Windsor dropped significantly to 8.1 per cent from 9.6 per cent, a bright spot for the border city reliant on automotive trade with the U.S. Barrie remained at 8.4 per cent from 8.6 per cent, Greater Sudbury steady at 6.6 per cent, and Thunder Bay down to 4.8 per cent from 5.0 per cent. These Ontario variations underscore the province's diverse economy, from manufacturing in the south to mining in the north, all under pressure from interest rate hikes and supply chain issues lingering from global events.
Heading west to the Prairies, Winnipeg in Manitoba saw a slight improvement to 6.4 per cent from 6.6 per cent, supported by agriculture and transportation jobs. Regina in Saskatchewan rose to 6.8 per cent from 6.4 per cent, while Saskatoon dipped to 5.7 per cent from 5.5 per cent—a minor increase there too. The Prairies have been grappling with commodity price fluctuations, particularly in oil and grain, which influence seasonal employment patterns.
In Alberta, energy sector dynamics played out clearly. Lethbridge held at 8.0 per cent from 8.1 per cent, Calgary improved to 7.3 per cent from 7.9 per cent, Red Deer rose slightly to 8.7 per cent from 8.6 per cent, and Edmonton fell to 7.7 per cent from 8.6 per cent. These changes come as the province recovers from pipeline delays and shifts toward renewables, with officials noting increased hiring in construction tied to infrastructure projects.
British Columbia presented the most stark contrasts, with Kelowna surging to 11.0 per cent from 9.3 per cent, possibly due to tourism slumps and wildfires impacting the Okanagan Valley. Kamloops improved to 8.8 per cent from 9.6 per cent, Chilliwack steady at 7.0 per cent from 7.1 per cent, and Abbotsford-Mission unchanged at 7.2 per cent. Vancouver edged down to 6.2 per cent from 6.3 per cent, while Victoria remained a low at 4.1 per cent from 4.2 per cent. Nanaimo saw a significant drop to 6.6 per cent from 8.2 per cent, reflecting gains in forestry and port activities.
The national rate of 6.5 per cent masks these regional disparities, which Statistics Canada tracks to inform policy. Economists have linked the overall stability to robust consumer spending and immigration boosting the labor force, though inflation and housing affordability continue to weigh on job creation. In cities like Toronto and Kelowna, where rates exceed 8 per cent, local leaders have called for targeted investments in skills training and affordable housing to stem outflows of young workers.
Looking ahead, December's data, due early next year, will incorporate holiday retail hiring, which could temporarily lower rates in urban service economies. Federal officials, including those from Employment and Social Development Canada, have indicated that upcoming budgets may prioritize green jobs and indigenous employment initiatives to address persistent hotspots. As Canada navigates global uncertainties, including trade tensions and climate impacts, these monthly snapshots from Statistics Canada remain crucial for understanding the uneven path to full recovery.
The report, compiled by The Canadian Press, highlights how local economies are adapting differently to post-pandemic realities. While some cities like Trois-Rivières and Victoria boast rates under 5 per cent, others like Brantford and Kelowna face steeper climbs. This patchwork illustrates the need for nuanced regional policies, as national averages often obscure ground-level struggles and successes alike.