The mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector continues to lead economic growth for the second straight month
Real gross domestic product expanded 0.3% in May, as both goods-producing and services-producing industries expanded in the month. The mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector expanded 1.0%. Support activities for mining, and oil and gas extraction rose 7.3% in May, recording the seventh consecutive monthly expansion and the largest since March 2024.
Payroll employment in public administration increases for the third consecutive month in May
The number of employees receiving pay and benefits from their employer increased by 24,100 (+0.1%) in May. On a year-over-year basis, payroll employment was up by 112,500 (+0.6%). Job vacancies were little changed at 495,700 job vacancies in May, marking the fifth consecutive month of little variation in Canada. Payroll employment in public administration (+11,700; +0.9%) increased for the third consecutive month in May.
Source: Payroll employment, earnings and hours, and job vacancies, May 2026
Just over one in three workers used generative artificial intelligence tools at work in the past 12 months
In March, the vast majority (93.4%) of workers reported being aware of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools. In addition, 41.6% of workers reported having used at least one AI or automation technology as part of their main job or business over the previous 12 months. Generative AI tools were by far the most commonly reported AI or automation technology, having been used by 35.9% of workers, or just over one in three workers. Nearly two-thirds (63.5%) of workers who reported using generative AI used it moderately in their work, while one-quarter (24.9%) reported minimal usage.
Source: Use of generative artificial intelligence tools among Canadian workers, March 2026
Freight from the United States up again
In May, Canadian railways carried 33.3 million tonnes of freight, up slightly (+1.0%) from May 2025. The increase in rail traffic was the result of higher volumes of domestic non-intermodal loadings (mainly commodities) as well as freight traffic received from railway connections in the United States. In May 2026, 4.0 million tonnes of rail freight were received from the United States, an increase of 8.8%, or 321 000 tonnes, from May of the previous year and above the five-year average for the month of May (3.8 million tonnes).
Source: Railway carloadings, May 2026
Pension plan membership rises in the public sector but declines in the private sector
The number of Canadians who were active members of a registered pension plan grew by 132,000 (+1.8%) from 2023 to nearly 7.4 million members in 2024. In 2024, public sector plans added nearly 157,900 participants (+4.0%), for a total of just over 4.0 million members. Private sector membership fell by 25,800 members (-0.8%), dipping below 3.3 million members. In 2024, there were 34 large plans, each with 30,000 or more active members, down from 36 large plans in the previous year. Of these 34 large plans, 22 were public and 12 were private.
Difficulty in accessing specialist care
In 2024, almost 4 in 10 Canadians aged 45 or older (about 6.6 million people) used specialist care for an initial consultation in the past 12 months. However, 27.8% of Canadians aged 45 or older—about 4.5 million people—reported experiencing difficulty in accessing specialist care for an initial consultation. The top two difficulties experienced in accessing specialist care among middle-aged and older adults were difficulty getting an appointment and waiting too long between booking an appointment and the visit.
Source: Difficulties accessing specialist care among middle-aged and older Canadians
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).