Canadian territories (Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut), April 2026 - Job market snapshot

Employment in the combined territories increased by 0.6% (+400) to 65,400 from March to April 2026. Year-over-year, the territories’ employment rose by 0.5% (+300) from April 2025 to April 2026, driven mainly by gains in the services-producing sector. The unemployment rate in the combined territories increased considerably, rising 2.7 percentage points to 7.4% over the same period.

The territories’ job market by the numbers

Territories
Working population
Unemployment rate
Yukon

27,000

Down -0.7% since March

5.3%

Up 1.4 pts since March

Northwest Territories

23,400

Up 1.7% since March

6.8%

Up 0.7 pts since March

Nunavut

15,000

Up 1.4% since March

12%

Down -0.1 pts since March

Source: Statistics Canada - Table 14-10-0292-01 - Labour force characteristics by territory, three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted and unadjusted, last 5 months

Industries in focus

Construction

Number of jobs increased 10.3%

April 20253,900

April 20264,300

Territorial employment in the construction sector increased 10.3% (+400) from April 2025 to April 2026. Iqaluit is set to build a new water reservoir next to Lake Geraldine as part of a $214M federal funding initiative to enhance the city’s water system. Construction will begin this fall, with completion slated for 2031. The project will include opportunities for Inuit firms and local labour participation, aligned with the Nunavut Agreement and City policies.

Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas

Number of jobs decreased -13.6%

April 20252,200

April 20261,900

Year-over-year, employment in the territories’ forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying and oil and gas sector fell 13.6% (-300) in April 2026. Agnico Eagle has extended the operating life of its Meadowbank gold mine in Kivalliq until 2030, following continued exploration success and updated mine planning. The Meliadine site, which employs about 1,600 workers, produced about 376,000 ounces of gold last year, with expectations to increase output to around 390,000 ounces by 2026.

Health care and social assistance

Number of jobs increased 5.2%

April 20259,600

April 202610,100

Employment in the territories’ health care and social assistance sector increased by 5.2% (+500) between April 2025 and April 2026. The Yukon government has introduced a new dual pathway licensing process to make it easier for U.S.-trained physicians to practise in the territory. The pathway, supported by the Yukon Medical Council and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C., allows American Board-certified doctors to apply once and become licensed in both jurisdictions.

Note: Combined seasonally unadjusted data based on a three-month moving average

Source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey - Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) custom tables

A closer look at the territories

Yukon Territory

Between April 2025 and April 2026, employment in the Yukon fell 0.4% (-100). The Yukon government is allocating $151.2M of its 2026–27 budget to the Yukon Hospital Corporation, a $15.8M increase from the previous year. The budget will also include $13.9M in capital funding to support planning for the Whitehorse General Hospital expansion, upgrade the medical device reprocessing system, and carry out other capital maintenance projects. What else is happening in this region?

Northwest Territories

In the Northwest Territories, employment dipped 0.8% (-200) year-over-year in April 2026. The Department of National Defence is planning to spend between $5B to $8B on a major expansion at Yellowknife Airport. The project includes upgrading the main runway, constructing hangers, expanding military accommodations, and adding new facilities to support military operations. Construction is set to begin in 2030, with completion expected by 2040. What else is happening in this region?

Nunavut

In April 2026, employment in Nunavut increased 4.2% (+600) on an annual basis. Mining company Baffinland has paid $12.2M to the Qikiqtani Inuit Association to build a new training centre in Pond Inlet as part of the Mary River mine’s Steensby Component expansion. The facility, already under construction, will include nine offices, a 20-seat classroom, an Elders room with a country food kitchen, and a conference room. Construction of the Steensby Component is expected to take three to four years to complete. What else is happening in this region?

Last data refresh: 2026-05-15

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