Canada adds 67,000 jobs in October as unemployment rate dips to 6.9 per cent

Canada’s labour market showed unexpected strength in October, adding 67,000 jobs and marking the second straight month of stronger-than-forecast employment growth, according to Statistics Canada.

The federal agency said the gains were concentrated in part-time positions, with the private sector recording its first employment increase since June. Ontario led the way with 55,000 new jobs, driven largely by growth in wholesale and retail trade as well as transportation and warehousing.

Younger Canadians also saw long-awaited improvement. Employment among workers aged 15 to 24 rose by 21,000 in October – the first increase since January – as more students and recent graduates found work heading into the fall.

Statistics Canada reported that the national unemployment rate edged down to 6.9 per cent, a two-tenths of a percentage point decrease from September. Economists had anticipated a slight decline in hiring, with many predicting a loss of about 2,500 jobs after another surprise gain of 60,000 positions the previous month.

The latest data suggest Canada’s job market remains resilient despite higher interest rates and broader signs of an economic slowdown.