London, Ontario is feeling the strain of a weakening labour market, with unemployment rising to 9.1% in March after more than 3,000 jobs were lost—now the highest rate in Canada. The local downturn comes despite modest national gains, as Statistics Canada reported that the country added just 14,000 jobs in March, recovering only a small portion of the steep 84,000 losses recorded in February.

Nationally, the unemployment rate held steady at 6.7%, but economists caution that the slight rebound is not a sign of strong growth. Wage growth has been a notable exception, rising 4.7% year-over-year, which could influence future interest rate decisions by the Bank of Canada.

Job gains were concentrated in natural resources and service sectors, while industries like finance and real estate saw declines. In London, however, deeper challenges—such as layoffs in manufacturing and education—are amplifying the impact. Overall, the data reflects a Canadian job market that remains fragile, with uneven recovery across regions and sectors.

Have you been laid off in London, Canada? Contact our employment lawyers today. Our legal team may offer a free case assessment and works on a contingency basis —there are no fees unless you win your case.

Jenna Benchetrit’s original article, “Canada's economy adds 14,000 jobs in March after February's whopping losses” was published in CBC News on April 10, 2026. Read the Full CBC News story.

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