Canada’s labour market is showing clear signs of cooling, as national job vacancies dropped to 505,900 in the second quarter of 2025 — the lowest level recorded since early 2018, Maple News reports. According to recent data, job vacancies declined by 18,900 from the previous quarter, marking the second consecutive quarterly drop. Compared to the same period in 2024, this represents a sharp 12.6% year-over-year decrease.
The downturn was primarily fueled by fewer full-time job openings, which fell by 5.1%, and affected both permanent and temporary roles. Overall labour demand also dropped, with a decline of 54,800 positions across the economy, driven not only by reduced vacancies but also by a decrease of 36,000 in payroll employment.
Canada’s job vacancy rate — the number of open roles as a percentage of total labour demand — slid slightly to 2.8%, down 0.1 percentage points from the previous quarter and 0.4 points year-over-year. This suggests employers are posting fewer openings amid economic uncertainty or hiring slowdowns.
Competition for available jobs is increasing. The unemployment-to-job vacancy ratio rose to 2.9, up from 2.2 a year earlier, indicating that nearly three unemployed individuals are vying for each open position. Notably, those holding a bachelor’s degree or higher faced the highest competition (4.9 job seekers per vacancy), while those with trade credentials experienced the least (1.8), underscoring a relative strength in skilled trades hiring.
The healthcare sector — despite its long-standing labour shortages — saw a substantial decline in job openings. Vacancies in health occupations were down 20.8% year-over-year, particularly in roles like registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses, which together accounted for over 60% of all healthcare vacancies.
Vacancies also fell across several major sectors, including trades and transportation (down 14.7%), business and finance (down 11.1%), and sales and service. However, the arts, culture, recreation, and sports sector offered a rare bright spot, posting a 9.5% increase in available positions.
On the wage side, average hourly wages offered for vacant positions rose by 4.5% to $28.00 in Q2 2025, although this growth was more moderate than the 6.1% seen in Q1. Positions requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher offered the highest wages at $43.60 per hour, while roles needing only a high school diploma or less stood at $21.65.
Regionally, the largest vacancy declines were seen in Ontario (-7,300) and Quebec (-7,600), with additional notable drops in Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. Although long-term vacancies — positions left unfilled for 90 days or more — also fell to 27.5%, down from 30.1% a year earlier, regional disparities in vacancy rates remain evident.
These figures, based on Statistics Canada’s latest labour market data, hint at a broader shift in hiring activity. As Canada prepares for evolving economic conditions and demographic changes, the landscape for job seekers, especially recent graduates and newcomers, may become more challenging.
Maple News will continue tracking Canada’s labour market and its implications for immigration, workforce strategy, and economic resilience.