A comprehensive snapshot of Canada’s key economic data and developments from this week (August 11–15, 2025):

1. Labor Market – Sign of Weakness

Job losses continued in July, with Canada shedding 40,800 positions.
The employment rate fell to 60.7%, the lowest in eight months, while the unemployment rate remained stuck at 6.9%, a multi-year high.
Youth were hit particularly hard: the unemployment rate for ages 15–24 spiked to 14.6%, the highest (outside pandemic years) since 2010, and their employment rate dropped to 53.6%.
Job losses were widespread across sectors like information, culture & recreation (−29 000), construction (−22 000), and business services (−19 000), although transportation/warehousing gained over 26,000 jobs.
Average hourly wages for permanent employees rose 3.5% to C$37.66.

Canadian home sales increased 3.8% month-over-month in July and were up 6.6% year-over-year—marking continued recovery in housing activity.
However, the Home Price Index (HPI) remained flat from June and still sits 3.4% below July 2024 levels.
The national average selling price only edged up 0.6% year-over-year.

China imposed provisional anti-dumping duties of 75.8% on Canadian canola imports, significantly disrupting a market valued at nearly C$5 billion in 2024.
Canola futures dropped over 6%, reflecting immediate market reaction.
In response, the Canadian government is evaluating support measures for canola farmers while pursuing dialogue with China and diversifying trade relationships.
Reuters

The Canadian dollar slid to a six-day low, trading at approximately 1.3784 CAD/USD (~72.6 U.S. cents), as market participants lowered expectations for a September Bank of Canada rate cut to about 36%, up from 17% earlier.
This followed disappointing job data and growing bearish sentiment (short positions hit a year-high of 79,420 contracts).
Meanwhile, 10-year Canadian bond yields declined to around 3.376%, the lowest since early July.

Area	Highlight
Labor Market	Significant job losses; rising youth unemployment; stagnant overall unemployment
Housing	Sales rebound; prices still lag behind last year
Agriculture / Trade	Sharp canola tariffs by China; government considering support
Currency & Bonds	Canadian dollar weakened; bond yields fell amid rate cut speculation

The labor market shows clear strain, raising concerns about economic resilience and possibly prompting policy action.
Housing activity remains strong, though prices haven’t rebounded—a mixed signal for the broader economy.
Trade tensions with China, particularly over canola, pose significant risks for the agricultural sector.
Financial markets are adjusting, with currency and bond markets signaling rising expectations of monetary easing.