Canada’s labor market showed renewed strength in February 2026, with part-time employment posting a notable recovery following a steep decline at the start of the year. According to the latest data updated on 13 March 2026, part-time employment increased by 24.5K in February, reversing part of January’s sharp contraction.
In January 2026, part-time employment had fallen by 69.7K, signaling a significant short-term weakening in this segment of the jobs market. The February turnaround suggests at least a partial stabilization, as employers resumed hiring or increased hours for part-time roles. While the February gain does not fully offset January’s losses, it indicates that the earlier drop may have been more of a temporary adjustment than the beginning of a prolonged downturn in part-time work.
Market participants and policymakers are likely to watch subsequent labor releases closely to assess whether this rebound continues, as trends in part-time employment can provide an early signal of shifts in overall labor demand and household income dynamics in Canada’s economy.
