The latest employment statistics for Quebec are encouraging, and point to the beginning of a recovery from the crisis. In June, 247,500 jobs were created. This is the second consecutive monthly increase, bringing to 478,400 the number of new jobs since the gradual reopening of certain sectors of the economy in May. Quebec has thus returned to 92.2% of the employment level observed in February, i.e. before the onset of the crisis.
The unemployment rate in Quebec in June (10.7%) is now below that observed in Canada (12.3%) and Ontario (12.2%). This significant drop in Quebec’s unemployment rate is entirely attributable to the fall in the number of people on temporary layoff.
“The government’s actions since the beginning of the pandemic are bearing fruit. The figures are encouraging and show that our game plan is working. We have prioritized protecting the health of Quebecers, then reviving the economy by gradually decontaminating certain sectors so that people can get back to work.”
Eric Girard, Minister of Finance
