The Canadian labour market began 2026 with a series of complex signals that challenge traditional interpretations of economic health. According to the latest Labour Force Survey released on February 6, 2026, the national unemployment rate fell to 6.5%, down from 6.8% in December. While a declining unemployment rate
by Minh Dang
In a landmark move to insulate the Canadian economy from escalating trade volatility, Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled a comprehensive industrial strategy designed to transform Canada into a global electric vehicle (EV) powerhouse. By committing billions in tax breaks, plant investment credits, and consumer rebates, the federal government is
by Minh Dang
In a recent address to the Empire Club of Canada, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem outlined a vision of a Canadian economy at a critical crossroads, facing a multi-year period of structural restructuring. The governor identified a trio of disruptive forces—shifts in trade policy, slowing population growth, and
by Minh Dang
The release of the S&P Global Canada Services PMI for January 2026 presents a challenging start to the year for the broader economy. While the manufacturing sector showed early signs of stabilization this month, the service sector, which accounts for the vast majority of Canadian employment, saw its
by Minh Dang
The release of the S&P Global Canada Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for January 2026 marks a significant turning point for the staffing and recruitment sector. After an eleven-month period of contraction, the index rose to 50.4, up from 48.6 in December. This move above the
by Minh Dang
The Canadian labor market in early 2026 is grappling with a series of localized shocks and long-term structural shifts. While significant capital investments in aerospace and port infrastructure offer promising growth, these are currently balanced against immediate layoffs in the automotive sector and a cooling trend in manufacturing and natural
by Minh Dang
The release of the latest Gross Domestic Product data for November paints a picture of an economy in a holding pattern, with real GDP growth remaining flat. For recruitment and workforce planning professionals, this headline figure of zero growth masks a significant divergence beneath the surface: a widening gap between
by Minh Dang
The release of Canada’s merchandise trade data for November reveals a complex landscape for the Canadian labour market, characterized by sharp sectoral divergences that will directly influence staffing strategies in the first quarter of 2026. While the headline figure of a $2.2 billion trade deficit suggests economic headwinds,
by Minh Dang
The Canadian labour market began 2026 with a series of complex signals that challenge traditional interpretations of economic health. According to the latest Labour Force Survey released on February 6, 2026, the national unemployment rate fell to 6.5%, down from 6.8% in December. While a declining unemployment rate
by Minh Dang
Canada’s technology labour market has entered a new phase in 2025—one marked not by the exuberant hiring cycles of the late 2010s, nor by the correction of the early 2020s, but by a more structural tension between digital ambitions and the talent required to deliver them. Across the
The federal government’s latest procurement disclosures show that National Defence remains the single largest buyer of temporary help services in Canada, accounting for the overwhelming majority of active staffing contracts through the third quarter of 2025. According to open-data records, over a dozen HR and recruitment vendors held active
After months of subdued momentum, Canada’s hiring appetite is stirring again. The September CSJ Hiring Index rose to 5.4 out of 10, up sharply from 4.8 in August, signaling a tentative shift in employer sentiment as purchasing activity accelerates and some hiring pipelines reopen. Yet beneath the
Digital staffing is no longer a niche experiment. Across Canada, warehouse operators, healthcare institutions, and logistics firms are turning to apps that can fill shifts in minutes, while major agencies are racing to digitize their own operations. The competition now spans from domestic startups to global firms integrating AI-driven matching,
Want more specific insights on the Canadian labour market? We prepared a set of 4 reports that bring specific analysis on: * IT staffing * F&A staffing * Skilled Trades staffing * Manufacturing staffing This report is for premium subscribers only, to discover all insights and support our work, please consider a
The Canadian staffing industry has faced turbulence in the past 3 years. Will 2026 bé a reset? Download the most comprehensive and detailed analysis of the Canadian staffing industry in our latest Canadian Staffing Industry 2026-2027 Forecast & Deep Dive Report at this link! To receive the report, simply subscribe
The increased return to work mandates Recently, The Wall Street Journal reported that despite stronger return-to-office (RTO) mandates across major U.S. companies (Microsoft, NBCUniversal, Paramount, The New York Times, among others), average office attendance has barely budged. Employers are struggling to enforce mandates. High performers often face minimal consequences
The Canadian labour market began 2026 with a series of complex signals that challenge traditional interpretations of economic health. According to the latest Labour Force Survey released on February 6, 2026, the national unemployment rate fell to 6.5%, down from 6.8% in December. While a declining unemployment rate
by Minh Dang
In a landmark move to insulate the Canadian economy from escalating trade volatility, Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled a comprehensive industrial strategy designed to transform Canada into a global electric vehicle (EV) powerhouse. By committing billions in tax breaks, plant investment credits, and consumer rebates, the federal government is
by Minh Dang
In a recent address to the Empire Club of Canada, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem outlined a vision of a Canadian economy at a critical crossroads, facing a multi-year period of structural restructuring. The governor identified a trio of disruptive forces—shifts in trade policy, slowing population growth, and
by Minh Dang
The release of the S&P Global Canada Services PMI for January 2026 presents a challenging start to the year for the broader economy. While the manufacturing sector showed early signs of stabilization this month, the service sector, which accounts for the vast majority of Canadian employment, saw its
by Minh Dang
The release of the S&P Global Canada Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for January 2026 marks a significant turning point for the staffing and recruitment sector. After an eleven-month period of contraction, the index rose to 50.4, up from 48.6 in December. This move above the
by Minh Dang
The Canadian labor market in early 2026 is grappling with a series of localized shocks and long-term structural shifts. While significant capital investments in aerospace and port infrastructure offer promising growth, these are currently balanced against immediate layoffs in the automotive sector and a cooling trend in manufacturing and natural
by Minh Dang
The release of the latest Gross Domestic Product data for November paints a picture of an economy in a holding pattern, with real GDP growth remaining flat. For recruitment and workforce planning professionals, this headline figure of zero growth masks a significant divergence beneath the surface: a widening gap between
by Minh Dang
The release of Canada’s merchandise trade data for November reveals a complex landscape for the Canadian labour market, characterized by sharp sectoral divergences that will directly influence staffing strategies in the first quarter of 2026. While the headline figure of a $2.2 billion trade deficit suggests economic headwinds,
by Minh Dang