Canada adds 75,100 jobs in July, unemployment falls to 6.4%

The Canadian economy added a robust 75,100 jobs in July, far exceeding expectations and driving the unemployment rate down to a two-year low, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Friday, August 7, 2026. The jobless rate fell to 6.4 percent, marking its third consecutive monthly decline.

This surge represents a sharp rebound from June's modest gain of 18,000 jobs and follows a strong performance in May, which saw an increase of 87,800 positions. The July gains were broad-based, with notable strength in wholesale and retail trade, finance and insurance, and professional, scientific, and technical services. Construction employment also rose. The increase was driven by the private sector, while public sector employment declined by 14,500 positions amid government spending cuts.

Full-time employment increased by a net 38,600 jobs in July, and part-time employment rose by 36,600 positions. Since April, total employment has grown by 181,000 jobs, a 0.9 percent increase, with full-time work accounting for 193,000 of those positions. The unemployment rate has fallen by 0.5 percentage points over that same period. Officials noted that the job-finding rate-the proportion of...