Unemployment rate drops to 6.5%, 18K jobs added: StatCan

Statistics Canada reported on Friday that the economy added 18,000 jobs in June, bringing the unemployment rate down a tenth of a point to 6.5 per cent.

The agency says that the summer job market for youth started stronger this year than in 2025, adding 33,000 jobs for workers between the ages of 15 and 24.

It reports that workers between the ages of 25 and 54 saw similar gains. However, older members of the labour market faced losses.

Last month, job growth was primarily in part-time work and led by the wholesale and retail trade industry as well as the food and accommodation sector, according to StatCan.

READ MORE: Widespread job growth as unemployment falls to 6.6%: StatCan

The agency reports that the manufacturing sector had the most job losses, dropping by about 61,000 positions since a recent peak in January 2025 due to the ongoing impact of U.S. tariffs.

The June jobs report indicates a year-over-year employment growth of 99,000 positions, with most of the growth happening in the private sector.

In June, average hourly wages rose 3.3 per cent annually, up from three per cent in May.

The Bank of Canada will use this report as its final key economic indicator before announcing its next interest rate decision on Wednesday.

With Files From The Canadian Press

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