Ottawa-Gatineau is moving in a different direction from the rest of Canada when it comes to employment. New Statistics Canada data shows the National Capital Region's unemployment rate fell to 6.7 per cent in February 2026, down from 7 per cent in January, even as the national unemployment rate moved in the opposite direction.
The Local Numbers
The region added 6,300 jobs in February, a solid gain that pushed the local labour force participation picture into more positive territory. While 6.7 per cent still represents a meaningful share of workers without jobs, the month-over-month improvement is a welcome signal heading into spring.
The data comes from Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey, which surveys households across the country to produce regional and national employment estimates.
Why Ottawa-Gatineau Diverged
The National Capital Region's economy has a different composition from most Canadian cities. The federal public service provides a large, relatively stable employment base that doesn't fluctuate with commodity prices or global trade conditions the way resource-heavy regional economies do. In periods of national uncertainty, that stability can be a buffer.
That said, ongoing discussions about federal workforce reductions, return-to-office mandates, and government restructuring create their own uncertainties for Ottawa-area workers tied to the public service, so the good February numbers shouldn't prompt complacency.
The National Picture
While Ottawa-Gatineau was adding jobs, Canada's national unemployment rate moved upward in February. Economists have pointed to a combination of factors: slower hiring in some sectors, continued population growth adding to the labour force, and uncertainty stemming from trade tensions with the United States.
The contrast between the local and national trends illustrates how Ottawa's economic insulation can work in residents' favour, at least in the short term.
What It Means for Residents
For job seekers, February's numbers suggest the local market has some positive momentum. The tech sector, construction (buoyed by ongoing development projects across the city), and professional services have all contributed to hiring in recent months.
For those watching the housing market, a tighter labour market with falling unemployment could sustain demand, though affordability remains a concern for many Ottawa renters and prospective buyers.
Source: Ottawa Business Journal
