A Post-COVID Job Shift: Quebec on Top

By Raulin Cadet | Published June 30, 2025 | Updated June 30, 2025 | Topics: Canada, Unemployment, Employment, Quebec, Job market, Post-COVID

"Don't Be Afraid to Give Up the Good To Go For the Great. "

— John D. Rockefeller

British Columbia was one of the top performers in Canada in terms of employment in the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. It often posted the lowest unemployment rate among the provinces. In contrast, Quebec typically occupied a middle position—neither among the worst performers nor considered a leader in employment outcomes.

I calculated the average unemployment rate for each province over two distinct periods: Pre-COVID (May 2015 – December 2019) and Post-COVID (January 2022 – May 2025). The unemployment data used in this analysis is seasonally adjusted to ensure that regular annual fluctuations do not distort the comparison.

The graphic shared with this post reveals a notable shift: British Columbia, which ranked first in the pre-COVID period, fell to 4th place after the pandemic. Meanwhile, Quebec rose from 5th to 1st, achieving the lowest average unemployment rate in the country since 2022.

What labor market or policy decisions allowed Quebec to climb the rankings?