Articles : Canada’s unemployment rate falls to its lowest level since the start of the pandemic

The economy added 303,000 jobs in March and was within 1.5% of its pre-COVID February 2020 level.

Both full-time (1.2%) and part-time (3.9%) work increased last month.

The gains last month were spread across all provinces, with the largest increases in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec. Much of the employment increases reflects the recovery in industries like retail, trade and accommodation, and food services. Growth in health care and social assistance, educational services, and construction also contributed to the numbers.

Young women continue to face employment challenges, while youth employment increased.

Employment among youth ages 15-24 rose by 115,000 in March, with gains entirely in part-time work.

Compared to February 2020, employment was down 122,000 among young women, compared to 39,000 among young men.

Building off an increase in February (134,000), employment among people between 25 and 54 rose a further 84,000 in March.

Self-employment rose for the first time in three months up 2.1% but remained 5.4% below its pre-COVID February 2020 level.

Employment in professional, scientific, and technical services was little changed for the second consecutive month, however, employment in the industry was up 6.0% compared with February 2020.

Among workers who worked at least half their usual hours in March, the number of people working at locations other than their home increased by about 600,000 for the second consecutive month.

The unemployment rate fell 0.7% to 7.5% in March, the lowest since February 2020.

References:
Statistics​ Canada