Unemployment rate falls to lowest level since March 2020 – Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey, February 2021

Employment rebounds in industries most affected by January losses. The number of people working in retail trade increased by 122,000 (+6.1%) in February as restrictions on non-essential stores were lifted in many regions. Employment gains in February were concentrated in Quebec and Ontario. Most of the employment gains in these provinces reflected a rebound in industries—particularly retail trade and accommodation and food services—where public health measures were strengthened in December and then eased prior to the February LFS reference week.