Canadian job vacancies showed stability in December 2023

In December 2023, Canada’s job vacancies remained steady at 637,400: the job vacancy rate was 3.6%, with a total labour demand decline of 0.4% compared to the previous month. The ratio of unemployed persons to job vacancies increased to 2.0 in December, up from 1.9 in the last three months. The retail trade sector recorded a 13.8% decline in job vacancies, reaching 58,800. Job vacancies in the healthcare and social assistance sector remained stable at 125,900 for the fourth consecutive month, with a vacancy rate of 5.1% in December. Ontario and Quebec experienced decreases in job vacancies. Ontario fell by 5.6% to 224,200, partially offsetting the previous month’s increase. Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island reported increases in job vacancies, while other provinces remained relatively stable.