The Big Story Weekend Listen: Seasonal jobs are up, but is that a good sign for the economy?
Nov 23, 2025
Brendon Bernard, a senior economist at Indeed Canada, delves into the intriguing rise in seasonal job postings, which are up by 12%. He connects this trend to the overall unemployment rate of 6.9%, particularly highlighting the challenges facing youth job seekers. The conversation also explores shifts from retail to distribution roles due to online shopping surges. Bernard offers valuable job-seeking advice for navigating a tough market and assesses how migration patterns influence recruitment dynamics. Tune in for insights into what it all means for the economy!
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Long Lines For Seasonal Roles
- Mike Epple shared his daughter's experience applying for a retail seasonal job and finding 100–200 people ahead of her in line.
- She didn't get the job, illustrating high competition despite available postings.
Modest Seasonal Hiring Bounce
- Seasonal job postings in Canada rose about 12% in early November versus 2024, but 2024 was weak so this is only a modest bounce.
- The overall job market remains softer than 2022–23 despite the uptick in seasonal hiring.
Unemployment Trending Worse
- The headline unemployment rate was 6.9% in October, edging up from 6.6% a year earlier.
- The trend shows gradual deterioration in labour-market strength over recent years.