Bitcoin 
Ethereum 
Tether 
XRP 
BNB 
USDC 
Solana 
JUSD 
TRON 
Lido Staked Ether 
There was no government shutdown to delay the Canadian employment data so it gets the Friday morning spotlight all to itself.Prior was +8.2KEmployment change: -24.8K vs -5.0K estimate, +8.2K priorUnemployment rate: 6.5% vs 6.6% estimate, 6.8% priorFull-time employment change: +44.9K vs +50.2 last monthPart-time employment change: -69.7K vs -42.0K last monthParticipation rate: 65.0% vs 65.4% last monthAvg hourly wages (permanent, YoY): % vs 3.7% last monthThis is a real mixed bag but it’s the second negative number in a row. The unemployment rate fell substantially though and that is surely a reflection of the plunge in the participation rate. The full time number is a good one for the second month.Overall, take this as a negative but it comes as USD/CAD is selling off and it seems to have stabilized the move. The volatility in other markets is dominating FX at the moment so the macro signals are lost.Looking at recent months, in October 2025, employment rose by 66,600 jobs, beating expectations for a decline, with gains concentrated in part-time work. The unemployment rate fell to 6.9 percent from 7.1 percent. November saw employment increase by 54,000, the third consecutive monthly gain, as the unemployment rate dropped further to 6.5 percent, the lowest in 16 months. However, December showed employment growth stalling at just 8,200 jobs, essentially flat, though full-time positions rose 50,200 while part-time employment fell 42,000. The unemployment rate increased to 6.8 percent as 81,000 people entered the labour force, pushing the participation rate to 65.4 percent. The December results followed strong cumulative gains of 181,000 jobs from September through November.For background, the Labour Force Survey, published monthly by Statistics Canada, provides comprehensive data on employment, unemployment, and labour force participation across Canada. Released on the first or second Friday of each month at 8:30 a.m. ET, the report surveys approximately 56,000 households and tracks employment changes by industry, province, full-time versus part-time status, and demographic characteristics. The survey measures not only net job creation but also unemployment rates, wage growth, and labour force participation, offering insights into the health of Canada’s economy. The data is closely monitored by the Bank of Canada when setting monetary policy and by economists assessing economic conditions. At the moment, there are no further cuts priced in for the Bank of Canada.
This article was written by Adam Button at investinglive.com.
💡 DMK Insight
Canada’s employment data just dropped, and it’s a mixed bag that traders need to unpack. The employment change came in at -24.8K, significantly worse than the -5.0K estimate, which could signal underlying economic weakness. Despite this, the unemployment rate ticked down to 6.5%, slightly better than expected. This divergence raises questions about the labor market’s health. Full-time jobs increased, but the sharp decline in part-time positions (-69.7K) suggests that many workers are facing instability. For forex traders, this data could impact the CAD, especially against the USD. If the trend of weak job growth continues, we might see the Bank of Canada reconsider its monetary policy stance, which could lead to CAD depreciation. Watch the 6.5% unemployment rate closely; if it starts to rise again, it could trigger further volatility in CAD pairs. The immediate focus should be on how the market reacts to this data, particularly in the context of upcoming economic indicators and central bank meetings.
📮 Takeaway
Keep an eye on CAD pairs; if unemployment rises above 6.5%, it could signal further weakness and volatility.
