Written By
Nick Raffoul
Nick Raffoul is the Founder and Lead Analyst at Best Canadian Stocks. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration, has over a decade of writing experience, and grew his personal portfolio 153% from 2020 to 2024.
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Statistics Canada released the July 2026 Labour Force Survey Friday morning, showing the Canadian economy added 75,000 jobs last month. The unemployment rate fell to 6.4%, down from 6.5% in June — the lowest level since July 2024 and the third consecutive monthly decline.
Average hourly wage growth came in at 2.8% year-over-year, reaching $37.17.
The Details
Full-time and part-time employment gains were evenly split in July. Since April, employment has risen by 181,000 positions, driven primarily by full-time work which jumped 193,000 or 1.1%.
The private sector added 58,000 jobs, while self-employment rose by 44,000 — a 1.6% increase. Job gains were concentrated in wholesale and retail trade (+21,000, +0.7%), finance, insurance and real estate (+18,000, +1.2%), professional, scientific and technical services (+17,000, +0.8%), and construction (+16,000, +1.0%). Public administration shed 15,000 positions.
Core-aged workers (25-54) accounted for 51,000 new jobs, with women making up the majority at 33,000. The unemployment rate for core-aged women fell to 5.2%, down 0.3 percentage points, while youth unemployment held steady at 12.6%.
Provincially, Ontario led with 52,000 new jobs, followed by British Columbia (+18,000), Manitoba (+5,900), and Nova Scotia (+4,600).
What It Means for Interest Rates
The Bank of Canada’s next scheduled interest rate decision is September 2, 2026. Friday’s jobs data complicates the case for further rate cuts, as a resilient labour market may keep upward pressure on wages and inflation.
Canadian bank stocks slipped modestly after the release. Royal Bank and TD Bank each fell about 0.5% as the strong employment numbers trimmed market expectations of additional Bank of Canada rate cuts. The central bank’s policy rate currently sits at 2.25% following a hold on July 15.
The jobs strength stands in sharp contrast to U.S. data released the same day, which showed American employers cut 23,000 jobs versus expectations of an 83,000 gain. U.S. stocks rallied following the report, with the S&P 500 closing at a record 7,757.64.
What It Means for Canadian Investors
Labour market strength filters through to nearly every corner of a Canadian portfolio.
For TFSA and RRSP holders: A resilient job market supports consumer spending, corporate earnings, and dividend sustainability across sectors.
For dividend investors: Canadian bank stocks and other financials are sensitive to employment trends. Banks rely on borrowers staying employed to service mortgages and loans, while insurers and wealth managers benefit from stable household income. Friday’s data supports the case for maintaining exposure to high-quality dividend stocks in the financial sector.
For gold investors: Gold mining stocks rallied sharply Friday as gold prices rose. Agnico Eagle and Wheaton Precious Metals each rose more than 7%, while Barrick Mining climbed 5.5%.
The S&P/TSX Composite closed at 36,381.23, up 244.92 points or 0.68% — approaching but not quite reaching its early-August record of 36,443.29. Employment data is one of the key inputs the Bank of Canada weighs alongside inflation and GDP growth when setting monetary policy.
Investors positioning their Canadian portfolio around economic data can execute trades through Questrade — Canada’s lowest-fee discount broker.
Data as of August 8, 2026. Source: Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey, July 2026.
For more on choosing the right platform for your goals, see our full guide to Canadian investing apps.
Disclaimer: The content on bestcanadianstocks.ca is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Data as of August 8, 2026.
Written By
Nick Raffoul
Nick Raffoul is the Founder and Lead Analyst at Best Canadian Stocks. He holds a degree in Business Administration and has over a decade of writing experience. Nick began investing just before the COVID-19 market crash in March 2020, growing his personal portfolio 153% by 2024. In 2022, he founded Best Canadian Stocks to make data-driven investing accessible to all Canadians. His goal is to help all of his readers achieve financial freedom, maximize their spending power, and reach their financial goals. Whether you're maximizing your TFSA, building an RRSP to save for retirement, or looking to buy your first stock, Nick has your back. His work covers Canadian equities, dividend investing, tax-advantaged accounts, and personal finance.
