Canadians have lost more than 100,000 full-time jobs since the beginning of 2026, adding pressure on Prime Minister Mark Carney's government as it seeks to shield the economy from the impact of US tariffs on Canada.
Canada's unemployment rate rose to 6.7%, according to the latest labour figures released on Friday - the second-highest among wealthy G7 nations, behind France.
February saw the sharpest drop in employment since the Covid-19 pandemic, wiping out much of the job growth recorded late last year, with the wholesale and retail trade sector taking the biggest hit.
Responding to the report, Carney said US trade actions against Canada are "causing big adjustments in the Canadian economy".
Carney, who spoke to reporters during a visit to Norway on Friday, also noted that wages overall in the country have trended upwards and that the unemployment rate is lower than when he took office in March 2025, when it was 6.8%.
