Canada Job Vacancies Fall to Lowest Level Since 2017: What It Means for New Immigrants

On this page you will find:

• The latest Statistics Canada job vacancy figures
• Sector-by-sector breakdown of employment changes
• Provincial trends in job openings and unemployment
• What the data means for potential immigrants
• A five-question FAQ on Canada’s labour-market outlook

Canada’s latest Statistics Canada report shows that the number of job vacancies edged down in August 2025 to 457,400 – the lowest level in eight years. For potential immigrants, the figures paint a more competitive job market but also highlight areas of opportunity in certain sectors and provinces.

Job Vacancies Continue to Decline

Job vacancies fell by 11,300 in August 2025, a 2.4 per cent decline from July, and were down by more than 82,000 – or 15 per cent – compared with August 2024. This marks the lowest vacancy count since August 2017, when there were 435,500 openings across Canada.

The job vacancy rate – the share of vacant positions out of total labour demand – held steady at 2.6 per cent from the previous month but was lower than 3 per cent a year earlier.

More Unemployed Persons per Vacancy

There were 3.5 unemployed people for every job vacancy in August, up from 3.3 in July. This is the highest ratio since November 2016, excluding the pandemic period when data collection was disrupted. The change reflects both fewer job vacancies and more people looking for work.

Over the past year, unemployment increased by 7.9 per cent, with 116,300 more people unemployed than in August 2024. At the same time, job openings decreased by 15 per cent, raising the national unemployment rate from 6.7 to 7.1 per cent.

Sectors with the Biggest Changes

In August, job vacancies fell in three major sectors and rose in only one:

• Transportation and warehousing saw the sharpest decline, down 5,100 vacancies to 21,400 – the lowest since May 2017.
• Other services (except public administration) dropped 3,200 to 21,400.
• Information and cultural industries decreased by 2,400 to 6,200.
• Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting was the only sector to see growth, up 2,000 to 7,400 vacancies.

Over the past year, the job vacancy rate fell in 13 sectors, with the largest drops in transportation and warehousing, and in other services.

Regional Breakdown

Seven provinces recorded year-over-year declines in job vacancies. British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec saw the biggest decreases:

In contrast, vacancies were largely unchanged in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.

At the same time, the number of unemployed persons per job vacancy rose in eight provinces. Newfoundland and Labrador now has the highest ratio at 7.3, followed by Ontario (4.3) and Alberta (4.1). British Columbia also saw an increase to 2.7.

What This Means for New Immigrants

For newcomers, Canada’s labour market is showing signs of softening after several years of strong demand. While job openings remain in key areas such as agriculture and healthcare, competition is increasing in most sectors.

However, the overall picture remains positive for skilled immigrants. Many employers still face long-term shortages in technical, healthcare, and skilled-trade occupations – areas that are consistently targeted through Express Entry category-based draws and provincial nominee programs.

Understanding regional and sectoral differences is essential for newcomers planning their settlement and job search. Provinces such as Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba may offer better prospects for in-demand skills, while metropolitan areas are experiencing more competition for available roles.

Opportunities Remain for Potential Newcomers

Although Canada’s job vacancies have fallen to their lowest level in eight years, skilled immigrants continue to be a crucial part of the country’s labour force strategy. As the economy adjusts, opportunities remain – particularly for those who align their experience with Canada’s priority sectors and regional labour needs.

FAQ