FX.co ★ Canada Employment Tops Forecasts in June

Canada added 18,000 jobs in June 2026, exceeding market expectations for a 10,000 increase but slowing from the 88,000 gain recorded in May. Overall employment rose 0.1% from the previous month, driven primarily by a 32,000 increase in private-sector payrolls, following a 56,000 rise in May. Accommodation and food services contributed 15,000 new positions, extending its gains for a third consecutive month. By contrast, manufacturing employment declined by 17,000, unwinding much of May’s 15,000 increase, while public-sector employment fell by 31,000. Regionally, employment grew in Quebec (+14,000) for a second straight month, and also increased in Nova Scotia (+4,800) and Saskatchewan (+2,900). The national employment rate ticked up 0.1 percentage point to 60.8%.