Maple News reports that Canada experienced a second consecutive month of job losses in May as provinces implemented stricter public health measures in response to the third wave of COVID-19. According to Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey, conducted from May 9 to May 15, the country saw a net decline of 68,000 jobs, with part-time positions accounting for nearly 80% of the total lost.
Ontario and Nova Scotia contributed the most to the employment downturn, as both provinces enforced closures impacting non-essential businesses. Meanwhile, Alberta and Manitoba introduced wide-ranging restrictions early in May, including the closure of personal care services, gyms, and dine-in restaurants, along with reduced retail capacity and remote learning for schools.
On the other hand, provinces like New Brunswick and Quebec began easing restrictions in select regions. Saskatchewan stood out as the only province to report job growth, adding 4,100 positions during the same period.
The employment decline showed noteworthy disparities across demographics. Recent immigrants—those who’ve been in Canada for more than five years—experienced a 2.1 percentage point drop in employment rates. Canadian-born workers saw a similar decline of 2.0 percentage points, based on pre-pandemic figures.
Very recent immigrants, defined as individuals who landed in the last five years, were hit harder overall. Employment for this group dropped by 11.2% in May when compared to February 2020. This cohort’s population itself plunged by 15%, primarily due to pandemic-related travel restrictions. Interestingly, because the population size decreased faster than the number of jobs lost, the employment rate for very recent immigrants still managed to rise 2.8 percentage points above pre-pandemic levels.
National unemployment remained relatively stable at 8.2%, but racial disparities persist. Data shows that visible minorities continued to experience higher-than-average unemployment rates, a trend that underscores longstanding labor market inequalities in Canada.
These developments highlight how public health measures and border restrictions continue to shape Canada’s economic and labor landscape—especially for newcomers and marginalized communities.