Canada Loses 84,000 Jobs in February as Unemployment Climbs to 6.7%

Canada lost about 84,000 jobs in February 2026, far worse than economists expected. As a result, the unemployment rate rose to 6.7%, up from 6.5% in January.

Most of the losses came from full-time and private-sector jobs, with retail, wholesale, manufacturing, and construction among the hardest-hit sectors. Youth workers were particularly affected, losing about 47,000 jobs, pushing youth unemployment above 14%.

The weak report follows another 25,000 jobs lost in January, meaning over 100,000 jobs have disappeared in the first two months of 2026.

Economists say trade tensions with the United States and broader economic uncertainty are contributing to the slowdown, raising concerns about Canada’s economic outlook.