Canada's unemployment rate was unchanged in February, holding steady at 6.6 per cent, Statistics Canada said Friday, as population growth loses steam and tariff uncertainty shakes the labour market.

Canada’s job market unexpectedly took a breather after months of steady growth, but the unemployment rate held steady as fewer people looked for work.

Canada's unemployment in February was unchanged from the prior month and new job additions was only marginally up, data showed on Friday, showing early signs of an impact of uncertainty around U.S. tariffs on hiring decisions of companies.

Economists had expected the unemployment rate to climb back up to 6.7 per cent in February, according to consensus estimates published by BMO Capital Markets. (Photo by GRAHAM HUGHES/AFP via ) · GRAHAM HUGHES via Canada’s labour market was essentially flat in February,

Economists polled by Reuters expect a gain of 20,000 jobs in the month, and for the unemployment rate to have ticked higher to 6.7%

Canada’s economy gained fewer jobs than expected in February, raising the odds of a Bank of Canada interest rate cut next week. Canada’s unemployment rate held steady at 6.6 per cent, with the economy adding just 1,