Employment falls in February
Employment declined by 84,000 (-0.4%) in February and the employment rate fell 0.2 percentage points to 60.6%. The unemployment rate increased 0.2 percentage points to 6.7%. In February, the number of people working full-time declined by 108,000 (-0.6%), offsetting growth recorded over the previous two months.
The single-family component drives residential sector growth
Residential construction intentions rose $143.0 million to $8.0 billion in January. Gains in the single-family component (+$222.3 million) were moderated by a decline in the multi-unit component (-$79.3 million). Nationwide, a total of 21,400 multi-unit dwellings and 4,000 single-family dwellings were authorized in January, reflecting an overall decrease of 1.8% from the previous month.
Source: Building permits, January 2026
Sustained growth in Canada's software development and computer services
In 2024, operating revenue in the computer systems design and related services industry rose 6.5% to $113.0 billion. Revenue remained concentrated in Ontario (51.3%), followed by Quebec (23.8%), British Columbia (13.7%) and Alberta (6.8%). Canadian clients made up 75.4% of total revenue. Furthermore, operating profit margin for the industry increased from 6.0% a year earlier to 6.8%.
Women hold just under one-quarter of director positions
In 2023, women occupied just under one-quarter (23.2%) of seats on boards of directors, increasing 0.5 percentage points over the proportion of women recorded in 2022 (22.7%). Educational services had the highest proportion of women directors, with women holding 35.3% of board seats during the year. In 2023, women made up 26.6% of officers across corporations conducting business in Canada.
Source: Representation of women on boards of directors and in officer positions, 2023
Older Canadians consume more fruits and vegetables than younger adults
In 2023, just over one in five Canadian adults (21.6%) living in the provinces ate fruit and vegetables five or more times a day, with the rate varying depending on several factors. For example, in terms of age, Canadians 65 years and older (24.5%), especially women (29.3%), were much more likely to eat fruit and vegetables five or more times a day than younger adults aged 18 to 34 years (17.6%).
Source: One in five Canadian adults eat fruit and vegetables five or more times a day
Contact information
For more information, contact the Statistical Information Service (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).