Labour Force

Labour force participation, employment, and unemployment rates. — 2021 Census of Population

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Unemployment Rate (%)

Unemployment rate (aged 15+)

Distribution by riding

Unemployment rate by federal riding, 2021 Census. Median 10.2%; range 4.6% (Lévis—Lotbinière) to 21.4% (Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake); half of ridings between 8.2% and 12.3%. Canada: 10.3%.

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Canada 10.3%

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Vertical axis: Unemployment rate (%)

Each dot is one federal riding (343 with a figure; 2023 Representation Order), placed by its value and spread across the axis so that dots do not overlap. The line marks the value for Canada as a whole (10.3%). Prairies: Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Atlantic: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. North: Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Highest and lowest ridings

Unemployment rate by federal riding, 2021 Census. 343 ridings ranked from highest (1) to lowest; tied values share a rank. Bars start at zero on one scale; the vertical line marks the value for Canada (10.3%).

10 highest

The 10 ridings with the highest values: unemployment rate, 2021 Census
Rank	Riding	Value
1	Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-LakeON	21.4%
2	Terra Nova—The PeninsulasNL	20.3%
3	Central NewfoundlandNL	20.2%
4	Long Range MountainsNL	19.8%
5	Sydney—Glace BayNS	19.4%
6	Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill RiverSK	18.6%
7	Windsor WestON	18.5%
8	Humber River—Black CreekON	17.8%
8	Windsor—Tecumseh—LakeshoreON	17.8%
10	Cape Breton—Canso—AntigonishNS	17.4%

10 lowest

The 10 ridings with the lowest values: unemployment rate, 2021 Census, lowest first
Rank	Riding	Value
343	Lévis—LotbinièreQC	4.6%
340	Beloeil—ChamblyQC	4.8%
340	Compton—StansteadQC	4.8%
340	Richmond—ArthabaskaQC	4.8%
339	Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—VerchèresQC	4.9%
338	BeauceQC	5.0%
337	Portneuf—Jacques-CartierQC	5.1%
336	Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’AcadieQC	5.2%
333	Portage—LisgarMB	5.3%
333	SheffordQC	5.3%

All 343 ridings, ranked

All ridings ranked by unemployment rate, 2021 Census, highest first
Rank	Riding	Province or territory	Value
1	Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake	Ontario	21.4%
2	Terra Nova—The Peninsulas	Newfoundland and Labrador	20.3%
3	Central Newfoundland	Newfoundland and Labrador	20.2%
4	Long Range Mountains	Newfoundland and Labrador	19.8%
5	Sydney—Glace Bay	Nova Scotia	19.4%
6	Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River	Saskatchewan	18.6%
7	Windsor West	Ontario	18.5%
8	Humber River—Black Creek	Ontario	17.8%
8	Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore	Ontario	17.8%
10	Cape Breton—Canso—Antigonish	Nova Scotia	17.4%
11	Scarborough North	Ontario	17.0%
12	Nunavut	Nunavut	16.9%
13	Scarborough Southwest	Ontario	16.5%
14	Etobicoke North	Ontario	16.3%
14	York South—Weston—Etobicoke	Ontario	16.3%
16	Scarborough—Agincourt	Ontario	16.2%
16	Scarborough—Woburn	Ontario	16.2%
18	Edmonton Griesbach	Alberta	15.9%
19	St. Catharines	Ontario	15.8%
20	Scarborough Centre—Don Valley East	Ontario	15.7%
21	Miramichi—Grand Lake	New Brunswick	15.6%
22	Calgary East	Alberta	15.5%
22	Markham—Thornhill	Ontario	15.5%
24	Oshawa	Ontario	15.4%
25	Calgary McKnight	Alberta	15.0%
25	Mississauga—Malton	Ontario	15.0%
27	Mississauga Centre	Ontario	14.9%
27	Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park	Ontario	14.9%
29	Niagara South	Ontario	14.8%
30	Toronto Centre	Ontario	14.6%
31	London—Fanshawe	Ontario	14.4%
32	Avalon	Newfoundland and Labrador	14.3%
32	Churchill—Keewatinook Aski	Manitoba	14.3%
32	Mississauga—Erin Mills	Ontario	14.3%
35	Mississauga East—Cooksville	Ontario	14.2%
36	York Centre	Ontario	14.1%
37	Edmonton Centre	Alberta	14.0%
38	Hamilton Centre	Ontario	13.9%
39	Brampton—Chinguacousy Park	Ontario	13.8%
39	Halifax	Nova Scotia	13.8%
39	London Centre	Ontario	13.8%
42	Acadie—Bathurst	New Brunswick	13.7%
42	Brampton Centre	Ontario	13.7%
42	Brampton South	Ontario	13.7%
42	Calgary Nose Hill	Alberta	13.7%
42	Don Valley North	Ontario	13.7%
47	Brampton East	Ontario	13.6%
48	Ajax	Ontario	13.4%
48	Beaches—East York	Ontario	13.4%
48	University—Rosedale	Ontario	13.4%
51	Davenport	Ontario	13.3%
51	Hamilton Mountain	Ontario	13.3%
51	Markham—Unionville	Ontario	13.3%
51	Richmond Hill South	Ontario	13.3%
55	Don Valley West	Ontario	13.2%
55	Peterborough	Ontario	13.2%
57	Kingston and the Islands	Ontario	13.1%
57	Mississauga—Streetsville	Ontario	13.1%
59	Edmonton Manning	Alberta	13.0%
59	Simcoe North	Ontario	13.0%
59	Taiaiako'n—Parkdale—High Park	Ontario	13.0%
59	Thornhill	Ontario	13.0%
63	Hamilton East—Stoney Creek	Ontario	12.9%
63	Sault Ste. Marie—Algoma	Ontario	12.9%
65	Acadie—Annapolis	Nova Scotia	12.7%
65	Cumberland—Colchester	Nova Scotia	12.7%
65	Etobicoke Centre	Ontario	12.7%
65	Whitby	Ontario	12.7%
65	Willowdale	Ontario	12.7%
70	Calgary Heritage	Alberta	12.6%
70	Labrador	Newfoundland and Labrador	12.6%
70	Vaughan—Woodbridge	Ontario	12.6%
73	Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill	Ontario	12.5%
73	Brampton West	Ontario	12.5%
73	Edmonton Strathcona	Alberta	12.5%
73	Ottawa—Vanier—Gloucester	Ontario	12.5%
73	Toronto—Danforth	Ontario	12.5%
78	Bowmanville—Oshawa North	Ontario	12.4%
78	Brampton North—Caledon	Ontario	12.4%
78	Calgary Skyview	Alberta	12.4%
78	Central Nova	Nova Scotia	12.4%
78	London West	Ontario	12.4%
78	Pickering—Brooklin	Ontario	12.4%
84	Edmonton Northwest	Alberta	12.3%
84	Essex	Ontario	12.3%
84	Newmarket—Aurora	Ontario	12.3%
87	Eglinton—Lawrence	Ontario	12.2%
87	Mississauga—Lakeshore	Ontario	12.2%
87	Ottawa South	Ontario	12.2%
87	Ottawa West—Nepean	Ontario	12.2%
91	Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte	Ontario	12.1%
91	Edmonton Gateway	Alberta	12.1%
93	Calgary Confederation	Alberta	12.0%
93	Calgary Signal Hill	Alberta	12.0%
93	Edmonton Southeast	Alberta	12.0%
93	Egmont	Prince Edward Island	12.0%
93	Waterloo	Ontario	12.0%
98	Barrie South—Innisfil	Ontario	11.9%
98	Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations	Ontario	11.9%
98	Calgary Midnapore	Alberta	11.9%
98	Edmonton West	Alberta	11.9%
98	King—Vaughan	Ontario	11.9%
98	Oakville West	Ontario	11.9%
98	Red Deer	Alberta	11.9%
98	South Shore—St. Margarets	Nova Scotia	11.9%
106	Calgary Crowfoot	Alberta	11.8%
106	Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas	Ontario	11.8%
106	Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel	Quebec	11.8%
109	Markham—Stouffville	Ontario	11.7%
109	Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs	Quebec	11.7%
111	Etobicoke—Lakeshore	Ontario	11.6%
111	Oakville East	Ontario	11.6%
111	Saint-Laurent	Quebec	11.6%
114	Calgary Centre	Alberta	11.5%
114	Outremont	Quebec	11.5%
114	Winnipeg Centre	Manitoba	11.5%
117	Cambridge	Ontario	11.4%
117	Simcoe—Grey	Ontario	11.4%
119	Bay of Quinte	Ontario	11.3%
119	Grande Prairie	Alberta	11.3%
119	Kings—Hants	Nova Scotia	11.3%
119	Leduc—Wetaskiwin	Alberta	11.3%
123	Dartmouth—Cole Harbour	Nova Scotia	11.2%
123	Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong	Ontario	11.2%
125	Kitchener Centre	Ontario	11.1%
125	Ponoka—Didsbury	Alberta	11.1%
125	Sudbury	Ontario	11.1%
125	Yellowhead	Alberta	11.1%
129	Guelph	Ontario	11.0%
129	Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes	Ontario	11.0%
129	Madawaska—Restigouche	New Brunswick	11.0%
129	Mount Royal	Quebec	11.0%
129	Papineau	Quebec	11.0%
134	Bourassa	Quebec	10.9%
134	Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj	Quebec	10.9%
134	Richmond Centre—Marpole	British Columbia	10.9%
134	St. John's East	Newfoundland and Labrador	10.9%
138	Burlington	Ontario	10.8%
138	Halifax West	Nova Scotia	10.8%
138	Kitchener South—Hespeler	Ontario	10.8%
138	Milton East—Halton Hills South	Ontario	10.8%
138	Nipissing—Timiskaming	Ontario	10.8%
143	Burlington North—Milton West	Ontario	10.7%
143	New Tecumseth—Gwillimbury	Ontario	10.7%
143	Northumberland—Clarke	Ontario	10.7%
143	Parkland	Alberta	10.7%
143	Thunder Bay—Superior North	Ontario	10.7%
148	Airdrie—Cochrane	Alberta	10.6%
148	Chatham-Kent—Leamington	Ontario	10.6%
148	Edmonton Riverbend	Alberta	10.6%
148	Laurier—Sainte-Marie	Quebec	10.6%
148	Parry Sound—Muskoka	Ontario	10.6%
148	Richmond East—Steveston	British Columbia	10.6%
148	Toronto—St. Paul's	Ontario	10.6%
155	Laurentides—Labelle	Quebec	10.5%
155	Thunder Bay—Rainy River	Ontario	10.5%
157	Cape Spear	Newfoundland and Labrador	10.4%
157	Dufferin—Caledon	Ontario	10.4%
157	Oxford	Ontario	10.4%
160	Beauséjour	New Brunswick	10.3%
160	Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle	Quebec	10.3%
160	Hull—Aylmer	Quebec	10.3%
160	Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes	Ontario	10.3%
160	Niagara West	Ontario	10.3%
160	Peace River—Westlock	Alberta	10.3%
160	Vimy	Quebec	10.3%
167	Ahuntsic-Cartierville	Quebec	10.2%
167	Battlefords—Lloydminster—Meadow Lake	Saskatchewan	10.2%
167	Elgin—St. Thomas—London South	Ontario	10.2%
167	Hastings—Lennox and Addington—Tyendinaga	Ontario	10.2%
167	Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner	Alberta	10.2%
167	Nepean	Ontario	10.2%
173	Cardigan	Prince Edward Island	10.1%
173	LaSalle—Émard—Verdun	Quebec	10.1%
173	Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount	Quebec	10.1%
176	Ottawa Centre	Ontario	10.0%
176	Regina—Wascana	Saskatchewan	10.0%
176	Sackville—Bedford—Preston	Nova Scotia	10.0%
176	Saint John—Kennebecasis	New Brunswick	10.0%
176	Skeena—Bulkley Valley	British Columbia	10.0%
181	Burnaby Central	British Columbia	9.9%
181	Laval—Les Îles	Quebec	9.9%
181	Regina—Qu'Appelle	Saskatchewan	9.9%
181	Saskatoon West	Saskatchewan	9.9%
181	Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby	British Columbia	9.9%
186	Calgary Shepard	Alberta	9.8%
186	Pierrefonds—Dollard	Quebec	9.8%
186	Saint John—St. Croix	New Brunswick	9.8%
189	Charlottetown	Prince Edward Island	9.7%
189	Vancouver East	British Columbia	9.7%
191	Bow River	Alberta	9.6%
191	Malpeque	Prince Edward Island	9.6%
191	St. Albert—Sturgeon River	Alberta	9.6%
191	York—Durham	Ontario	9.6%
195	Fort McMurray—Cold Lake	Alberta	9.5%
195	Fundy Royal	New Brunswick	9.5%
195	Prince Albert	Saskatchewan	9.5%
195	Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan	Alberta	9.5%
195	Stormont—Dundas—Glengarry	Ontario	9.5%
195	Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt	Ontario	9.5%
195	Surrey Centre	British Columbia	9.5%
202	Cariboo—Prince George	British Columbia	9.4%
202	Gatineau	Quebec	9.4%
202	Haldimand—Norfolk	Ontario	9.4%
202	Lakeland	Alberta	9.4%
202	Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies	British Columbia	9.4%
202	Tobique—Mactaquac	New Brunswick	9.4%
202	Vancouver Kingsway	British Columbia	9.4%
209	Kanata	Ontario	9.3%
209	Kapuskasing—Timmins—Mushkegowuk	Ontario	9.3%
211	Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke	Ontario	9.2%
211	Hochelaga—Rosemont-Est	Quebec	9.2%
211	Winnipeg North	Manitoba	9.2%
214	Battle River—Crowfoot	Alberta	9.1%
214	Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound	Ontario	9.1%
214	Foothills	Alberta	9.1%
214	Middlesex—London	Ontario	9.1%
214	Surrey Newton	British Columbia	9.1%
214	Vancouver Quadra	British Columbia	9.1%
220	Brossard—Saint-Lambert	Quebec	9.0%
220	Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay	British Columbia	9.0%
220	Spadina—Harbourfront	Ontario	9.0%
220	West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country	British Columbia	9.0%
224	Moncton—Dieppe	New Brunswick	8.9%
224	Winnipeg South	Manitoba	8.9%
226	Courtenay—Alberni	British Columbia	8.8%
226	Lanark—Frontenac	Ontario	8.8%
226	Lethbridge	Alberta	8.8%
226	Québec Centre	Quebec	8.8%
226	Regina—Lewvan	Saskatchewan	8.8%
226	Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee	British Columbia	8.8%
232	Elmwood—Transcona	Manitoba	8.7%
232	Flamborough—Glanbrook—Brant North	Ontario	8.7%
232	La Pointe-de-l'Île	Quebec	8.7%
232	North Island—Powell River	British Columbia	8.7%
232	Northwest Territories	Northwest Territories	8.7%
232	Orléans	Ontario	8.7%
238	Honoré-Mercier	Quebec	8.6%
238	Kenora—Kiiwetinoong	Ontario	8.6%
238	New Westminster—Burnaby—Maillardville	British Columbia	8.6%
241	Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola	British Columbia	8.5%
241	Lac-Saint-Louis	Quebec	8.5%
241	Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne	Quebec	8.5%
241	St. Boniface—St. Vital	Manitoba	8.5%
241	Vancouver Centre	British Columbia	8.5%
241	Wellington—Halton Hills North	Ontario	8.5%
247	Fleetwood—Port Kells	British Columbia	8.4%
247	Port Moody—Coquitlam	British Columbia	8.4%
249	Burnaby North—Seymour	British Columbia	8.3%
249	Kelowna	British Columbia	8.3%
249	Kitchener—Conestoga	Ontario	8.3%
249	Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie	Quebec	8.3%
253	Carleton	Ontario	8.2%
253	Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam	British Columbia	8.2%
253	Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies	British Columbia	8.2%
253	Nanaimo—Ladysmith	British Columbia	8.2%
253	Saskatoon South	Saskatchewan	8.2%
253	Saskatoon—University	Saskatchewan	8.2%
259	Abbotsford—South Langley	British Columbia	8.1%
259	North Vancouver—Capilano	British Columbia	8.1%
259	South Surrey—White Rock	British Columbia	8.1%
259	Victoria	British Columbia	8.1%
259	Winnipeg South Centre	Manitoba	8.1%
264	Columbia—Kootenay—Southern Rockies	British Columbia	8.0%
264	Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman	Manitoba	8.0%
266	Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation	Quebec	7.9%
266	Fredericton—Oromocto	New Brunswick	7.9%
266	Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna	British Columbia	7.9%
266	Pontiac—Kitigan Zibi	Quebec	7.9%
270	Les Pays-d'en-Haut	Quebec	7.8%
270	Rimouski—La Matapédia	Quebec	7.8%
270	Vancouver Granville	British Columbia	7.8%
273	Beauport—Limoilou	Quebec	7.7%
274	Kildonan—St. Paul	Manitoba	7.6%
274	Winnipeg West	Manitoba	7.6%
276	Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan	Quebec	7.5%
277	Alfred-Pellan	Quebec	7.4%
277	Delta	British Columbia	7.4%
277	Joliette—Manawan	Quebec	7.4%
277	Longueuil—Saint-Hubert	Quebec	7.4%
277	Louis-Hébert	Quebec	7.4%
282	Cloverdale—Langley City	British Columbia	7.3%
283	Trois-Rivières	Quebec	7.2%
284	Chilliwack—Hope	British Columbia	7.1%
284	Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan	Saskatchewan	7.1%
284	Perth—Wellington	Ontario	7.1%
287	Marc-Aurèle-Fortin	Quebec	7.0%
287	Yorkton—Melville	Saskatchewan	7.0%
289	Huron—Bruce	Ontario	6.9%
289	Sherbrooke	Quebec	6.9%
289	Vaudreuil	Quebec	6.9%
289	Yukon	Yukon	6.9%
293	Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata	Quebec	6.8%
293	Cowichan—Malahat—Langford	British Columbia	6.8%
295	Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford	British Columbia	6.7%
295	Rivière-du-Nord	Quebec	6.7%
295	Saint-Maurice—Champlain	Quebec	6.7%
298	Brandon—Souris	Manitoba	6.6%
298	Langley Township—Fraser Heights	British Columbia	6.6%
298	Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge	British Columbia	6.6%
298	Riding Mountain	Manitoba	6.6%
302	Prescott—Russell—Cumberland	Ontario	6.5%
303	Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles	Quebec	6.4%
303	Châteauguay—Les Jardins-de-Napierville	Quebec	6.4%
303	Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke	British Columbia	6.4%
303	Provencher	Manitoba	6.4%
303	Rivière-des-Mille-Îles	Quebec	6.4%
308	Lac-Saint-Jean	Quebec	6.3%
308	Saanich—Gulf Islands	British Columbia	6.3%
308	Souris—Moose Mountain	Saskatchewan	6.3%
308	Thérèse-De Blainville	Quebec	6.3%
312	Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou	Quebec	6.2%
312	Montmorency—Charlevoix	Quebec	6.2%
314	Berthier—Maskinongé	Quebec	6.1%
314	Brome—Missisquoi	Quebec	6.1%
316	Chicoutimi—Le Fjord	Quebec	6.0%
317	Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel—Alnôbak	Quebec	5.9%
317	Repentigny	Quebec	5.9%
317	Terrebonne	Quebec	5.9%
320	Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon	Quebec	5.8%
320	Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis	Quebec	5.8%
322	Abitibi—Témiscamingue	Quebec	5.7%
322	Montcalm	Quebec	5.7%
324	Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek	Saskatchewan	5.6%
324	Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk	Quebec	5.6%
324	Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton	Quebec	5.6%
324	Saint-Jean	Quebec	5.6%
328	La Prairie—Atateken	Quebec	5.5%
329	Drummond	Quebec	5.4%
329	Mégantic—L’Érable—Lotbinière	Quebec	5.4%
329	Mirabel	Quebec	5.4%
329	Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley	Saskatchewan	5.4%
333	Jonquière	Quebec	5.3%
333	Portage—Lisgar	Manitoba	5.3%
333	Shefford	Quebec	5.3%
336	Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’Acadie	Quebec	5.2%
337	Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier	Quebec	5.1%
338	Beauce	Quebec	5.0%
339	Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères	Quebec	4.9%
340	Beloeil—Chambly	Quebec	4.8%
340	Compton—Stanstead	Quebec	4.8%
340	Richmond—Arthabaska	Quebec	4.8%
343	Lévis—Lotbinière	Quebec	4.6%

Value: Unemployment rate (aged 15+). Riding names link to the riding's dissemination-area map for this topic.

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Labour Force — 2021 Census

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Labour Force in Canada

The 2021 Census captured Canada's labour market during an unusual moment — the reference period included the COVID-19 pandemic, which temporarily distorted unemployment and participation rates. The national unemployment rate was 10.3 percent (aged 15+), well above the pre-pandemic 5.7 percent but already recovering from the worst of the shutdowns. The participation rate stood at 63.7 percent. The labour topic maps unemployment, participation, and employment rates across ridings, revealing the structural geography of work in Canada beyond the pandemic's temporary effects.

Unemployment

The highest unemployment rates reflect a combination of pandemic impact and structural joblessness. Niagara Falls–Niagara-on-the-Lake leads at 21.4 percent — heavily hit by the collapse of tourism and hospitality during COVID lockdowns. Central Newfoundland (20.5%) and Terra Nova (20.4%) reflect longstanding structural unemployment in regions dependent on seasonal fisheries and forestry.

The lowest unemployment is found in suburban Quebec and the prairies: Lévis–Lotbinière (4.5%), Richmond–Arthabaska (4.6%), and Compton–Stanstead (4.7%). These are manufacturing and agricultural communities with tight labour markets even during the pandemic. Quebec's remarkably low unemployment in its rural ridings reflects both a strong manufacturing base and lower labour market participation among older residents who have left the workforce entirely.

Participation Rate

Labour force participation — the share of adults either employed or actively seeking work — is highest in downtown cores with young, working-age populations. Spadina–Harbourfront leads at 84.0 percent, reflecting its dense population of young professionals. Calgary ridings (Shepard, Centre, Skyview) rank highly, reflecting Alberta's work-oriented culture and younger demographics.

The lowest participation is in northern Indigenous ridings and aging Atlantic communities: Desnethé–Missinippi–Churchill River (43.5%), Terra Nova (49.0%), and Long Range Mountains (49.9%). In northern ridings, limited formal employment opportunities keep many adults outside the labour force. In Atlantic ridings, an older demographic profile means a large retired population.

Riding Rankings

Highest Unemployment Rate

Rank	Riding	Unemployment %
1	Niagara Falls–Niagara-on-the-Lake	21.4%
2	Central Newfoundland	20.5%
3	Terra Nova–The Peninsulas	20.4%
4	Long Range Mountains	20.3%
5	Desnethé–Missinippi–Churchill River	19.9%
6	Sydney–Glace Bay	19.6%
7	Windsor West	18.7%
8	Nunavut	18.4%
9	Humber River–Black Creek	18.3%
10	Windsor–Tecumseh–Lakeshore	18.0%

The list mixes pandemic-affected tourism economies (Niagara Falls, Windsor) with chronically underemployed regions (Newfoundland, Desnethé–Missinippi, Cape Breton). Humber River–Black Creek in Toronto's northwest is the lone GTA entry — a low-income immigrant neighbourhood where precarious employment and language barriers create persistent joblessness.

Lowest Unemployment Rate

Rank	Riding	Unemployment %
1	Lévis–Lotbinière	4.5%
2	Richmond–Arthabaska	4.6%
3	Compton–Stanstead	4.7%
4	Pierre-Boucher–Les Patriotes–Verchères	4.8%
5	Beloeil–Chambly	4.8%
6	Swift Current–Grasslands–Kindersley	4.8%
7	Portneuf–Jacques-Cartier	4.9%
8	Beauce	5.0%
9	Portage–Lisgar	5.0%
10	Jonquière	5.1%

Seven of the ten lowest-unemployment ridings are in Quebec — a remarkable shift for a province that historically had Canada's highest unemployment. Quebec's economic renaissance since the early 2010s, combined with an aging workforce creating labour shortages, has produced near-full employment in its suburban and rural communities. The Beauce region in particular has become a manufacturing powerhouse with chronic worker shortages.

Highest Employment Rate

Rank	Riding	Employment %
1	Spadina–Harbourfront	76.4%
2	Calgary Shepard	69.3%
3	Mirabel	68.6%
4	Vancouver Centre	68.6%
5	Lévis–Lotbinière	67.8%
6	Yukon	67.0%
7	Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie	66.6%
8	Calgary Centre	66.6%
9	Beloeil–Chambly	66.5%
10	La Prairie–Atateken	66.5%

Spadina–Harbourfront's 76.4 percent employment rate is extraordinary — more than three in four adults had a job. The mix of downtown professionals and knowledge workers weathered the pandemic through remote work. Quebec suburban ridings (Mirabel, Lévis, Beloeil) appear alongside Calgary ridings, reflecting both provinces' strong economies from different sources — manufacturing and government in Quebec, energy in Alberta.

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population. Riding boundaries reflect the 2022 Federal Electoral Districts. Adapted from Statistics Canada; this does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.

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Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population. Adapted from Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2021. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.