Job losses and gains in August 2025
Employment declined across several major industries in August, pointing to broad-based softening in the labour market. The professional, scientific and technical services sector led the losses, shedding 26,000 jobs (-1.3 per cent from July), followed closely by transportation and warehousing, which fell by 23,000 jobs (-2.1 per cent from July). Manufacturing also saw a notable decline, with 19,000 fewer jobs (-1.0 per cent from July). These shifts indicate that some typically stable sectors are now experiencing adjustments, reflecting broader changes in the labour market.
Other industries that reported job losses in August 2025, according to Statistics Canada, include:
Educational services: -18,400 (-1.2 per cent)
Other services*: -6,100 (-0.8 per cent)
Natural resources: -5,600 (-1.7 per cent)
Information, culture and recreation: -5,200 (-0.6 per cent)
Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing: -2,800 (-0.2 per cent)
Wholesale and retail trade: -1,800 (-0.1 per cent)
*‘Other services’ includes businesses and organizations providing services not covered by other sectors.
Percentages above represent MoM change
While overall employment declined slightly in August 2025, a few sectors posted modest gains. Construction led the way with an increase of 17,000 jobs (+1.1 per cent from July), offsetting most of the decline seen in the prior month (-22,000 in July). Accommodation and food services saw a small growth, adding 9,200 jobs (+0.8 per cent from July). Agriculture also saw a modest increase of +4,800 jobs (+2.3 per cent from July). Utilities gained 4,700 jobs (+3.0 per cent from July), Health care and social assistance added 3,300 jobs (+0.1 per cent from July). These modest gains helped balance the overall decline in employment, reflecting continued sector-by-sector changes.
