Statistics Canada says the country saw an “unprecedented” drop in employment in April amid the pandemic.
The latest labour force survey, released Friday, shows the Canadian economy lost nearly two million jobs last month.
That pushed the unemployment rate up 5.2 points to 13 per cent – the second-highest rate ever recorded.
StatCan says almost all of the newly-unemployed were on temporary layoff, meaning they expect to return to work as the pandemic shutdown is relaxed.
As of mid-April, 5.5 million Canadians have either lost their job or seen their hours substantially reduced due to the pandemic.
In New Brunswick, the economy shed 34,400 jobs – most of them full-time – and the unemployment rate jumped to 13.2 per cent.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau, Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos, and Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Minister Carla Qualtrough issued a joint statement as the new numbers were released.
“Today’s job numbers show that COVID-19 is having a real impact on communities and families right across the country,” said the statement.
The ministers reiterated the several programs in place to help those affected, including the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.
“As provinces and territories begin to lift restrictions and our government continues to take steps towards economic recovery, we will be there for Canadians. We will get through these challenging times together.”
