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November 2025 Labour Market Snapshot

Monthly update on the labour market in Canada’s electricity sector

The latest

November brought a net gain of 54,000 jobs to Canada’s economy in November 2025, but the story is nuanced: all the growth came from part-time work (+63,000), while full-time jobs fell by 9,000, according to Statistics Canada.

Health care and social assistance led the gains with +45,5000 jobs, and accommodation and food services added +14,200. On the flip side, wholesale and retail trade saw a sharp drop (-34,100 jobs), with small declines in manufacturing (-9,300) and public administration (-7,600).

Utilities bucked the trend, adding 2,200 jobs in November.

Monthly employment change by industry, Oct.-Nov. 2025 (000s)

Source: Statistics Canada

Unemployment hits a 16-month low

The economy‑wide unemployment rate fell to 6.5% in November, down from 6.9% in October. Youth unemployment dropped to 12.8%, its lowest in nearly two years. Among core aged workers (25-54), unemployment held at 5.6%, and older workers (55+) recorded 5.5%. Gender differences were minimal: young men (13.5%) vs. young women (12.0%), and near parity for core age and older workers.

Nearly 1 in 5 unemployed Canadians (19.6%) found work in November, a slight improvement over last year (18.6%).

Unemployment rate by age and Gender, Nov. 2025

Source: Statistics Canada

Bank of Canada holds interest steady

On Dec. 10, the Bank of Canada kept its policy rate at 2.25%, citing “surprisingly strong” GDP growth (2.6% annualized in Q3) and stable inflation (2.2% year‑over‑year).

Utilities sector: Steady growth

Employment in utilities climbed to 175,300, up 1.3% from October and a 17.6% gain from a year earlier. Year‑to‑date, the sector has added 19,500 jobs (+12.5%).

Job vacancies fell to 1,720, with a vacancy rate of 1.3%, below the two‑year average.

Provincial highlights

Gains were recorded in:

  • British Columbia: +1,400 jobs (+10%)
  • Quebec: +1,100 (+3.1%)
  • Ontario: +700 (+1%)

Declines were concentrated in:

  • Manitoba: -500 (-6.3%)
  • Saskatchewan: -500 (-6.6%)
  • Alberta: -400 (-1.4%)
  • Nova Scotia: -100 (-2.1%)

Modest gains were recorded in:

  • PEI: (+100)
  • Newfoundland and Labrador: +100
  • New Brunswick: +200
Monthly employment change in utilities by province, Nov. 2025 (000s)

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 14-10-0287-03

Wages remain strong

Average hourly wages in utilities rose to $56.67, up 0.7% from October and 3.0% year-over-year. Economy-wide wages held steady at $37.00, up 3.6% year-over-year. Utilities wages remain about 50% higher than the national average.

Average hourly wages in Canada: Utilities vs. all industries, Nov. 2024-Nov. 2025

Source: Statistics Canada