Canada's job market has been very hot recently, adding 335,000 full-time jobs over the past year, with the unemployment rate hitting a historic low of 5.8%, matching the record low set in 1976. So, which are the best cities in Canada for job hunting?
A year ago, the top-ranked cities in the BMO Labour Market Report Card were mainly located near Toronto and Vancouver, both beneficiaries of the booming housing market. But now, cities across the country are pushing into the top rankings, with employment improving from the Atlantic provinces to the Prairie provinces. Below is the ranking of cities in Canada with better employment prospects:
10. Halifax, Nova Scotia
Last year's ranking: 14
Unemployment rate: 6%
Employment growth over the past year: 3.6%
9. Edmonton, Alberta
Last year's ranking: 31
Unemployment rate: 6.7%
Employment growth over the past year: 0.6%
8. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Last year's ranking: 21
Unemployment rate: 6.5%
Employment growth over the past year: 1.4%
7. Quebec City
Last year's ranking: 6
Unemployment rate: 3.6%
Employment growth over the past year: 2.3%
6. Toronto, Ontario
Last year's ranking: 16
Unemployment rate: 5.8%
Employment growth over the past year: 3.2%
5. Kelowna, British Columbia
Last year's ranking: 2
Unemployment rate: 5.2%
Employment growth over the past year: 4.5%
4. Vancouver, British Columbia
Last year's ranking: 7
Unemployment rate: 4.0%
Employment growth over the past year: 4.7%
3. Oshawa, Ontario
Last year's ranking: 19
Unemployment rate: 4.5%
Employment growth over the past year: 3.3%
2. Abbotsford, British Columbia
Last year's ranking: 9
Unemployment rate: 4.0%
Employment growth over the past year: 2.9%
1. Moncton, New Brunswick
Last year's ranking: 33
Unemployment rate: 5.7%
Employment growth over the past year: 9.9%