Canada sheds jobs for second month as pandemic restrictions bite

Canada’s labor market weakened for a second month amid widespread restrictions to control a third wave of Covid-19.

The economy lost 68,000 jobs in May, Statistics Canada reported Friday in Ottawa. That adds to the 207,100 positions lost in April. The unemployment rate rose to 8.2%, from 8.1%. Economists in a Bloomberg survey had predicted a loss of 25,000 jobs, with a jobless rate of 8.2%.

Despite the back-to-back monthly setbacks, analysts expect a quick rebound as early as this month as containment measures are lifted. Ontario and Quebec — the two biggest provinces — have been gradually reopening in recent weeks, with the pace of vaccinations picking up speed and cases falling.

The country went through two major waves of Covid-19 lockdowns over the winter months that have hampered recovery efforts, starting with restrictions in December. The 270,000 jobs lost in that second wave were more than fully recovered in just one month in February when restrictions were lifted. Economists anticipate the same recovery this time.

“We’ve now seen slightly more jobs lost in this third wave — the April and May losses — relative to the job losses in the second wave,” Eric Lascelles, chief economist of RBC Global Asset Management, said on BNN Bloomberg Television. “At a minimum it’s comparable, and that makes sense. We’ve seen quite a significant lockdown this go-round.”

The current wave coincided with new restrictions that began in April. Many provinces kept Covid restrictions in place for most of May as they tried to control a third wave of the virus.

Economists are predicting a healthy rebound in the second half of the year as businesses reopen and consumers get comfortable again attending in-person activities, though some concerns are creeping in about disruptions that could undermine any rebound.

The U.S. labor market, where employers are struggling with shortages, is one reason for worry, as many workers south of the border choose to stay on the sidelines because of childcare obligations, enhanced jobless benefits and skills mismatches. At 64.6%, Canada’s labor force participation fell for a second month to its lowest since August.

Market Reaction

The Canadian jobs report coincided with the release of U.S. payroll numbers, which increased by 559,000 last month — short of an expected 675,000. Canadian government bonds rose, with the 10-year yield trading about 3 basis points below Thursday’s levels to 1.49% as of 9:39 a.m. in Toronto. The five-year yield dipped to just below 0.9%. The Canadian dollar rose 0.3% to C$1.2076 per U.S. dollar.

“While we continue to look for a solid rebound in employment through the summer and into the fall, the slow-walk jobs recovery in the U.S. sounds a cautionary note,” Doug Porter, chief economist at Bank of Montreal, said in a report to investors.

The potential for a sharp rebound and a faster-than-expected full recovery has already prompted the Bank of Canada to start paring back its stimulus and warning of higher interest rates.

Canada’s economy remains 571,100 jobs shy of pre-pandemic levels. The unemployment rate was below 6% before the pandemic.

The drop in May was largely part-time workers, who saw employment decline by 54,200 during the month. Full-time employment was down by 13,800. Hours worked were little changed during the month.

(Updates with analyst comment in 10th paragraph.)
–With assistance from Erik Hertzberg.