Canada’s Top 5 Cities for Employment in May 2025 – What Investors Should Know
- Wayne Hillier
- Jun 13
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 18
By Wayne Hillier, Real Estate Investing Masters
June 13, 2025 | Edmonton, AB
Canada’s unemployment rate climbed to 7.0% in May 2025, the highest level since 2016, excluding the pandemic years. But while the national outlook appears concerning, several cities are standing out with strong, resilient labour markets.
These top-performing cities are not just statistical outliers, they're environments that attract and retain residents, employers, and real estate investors alike.
Top 5 Cities with the Lowest Unemployment Rates in May 2025
Based on Statistics Canada’s latest 3 month moving average:
Victoria, BC – 3.7%
Quebec City, QC – 4.0%
Sherbrooke, QC – 4.1%
Regina, SK – 4.6%
Saskatoon, SK – 4.6%
What’s Behind Their Success?
These cities share several key traits contributing to their low unemployment rates:
Stable Public Sector Employment
Cities like Victoria and Quebec City benefit from a high proportion of government and institutional jobs, which provide stability even during economic slowdowns.
Economic Diversification
Saskatchewan’s Regina and Saskatoon combine resource-driven industries with growing sectors like healthcare, technology, and logistics, offering balanced job growth.
Affordability and Livability
Compared to larger metros, these cities provide more affordable housing, lower cost of living, and a higher quality of life, attracting both talent and employers.
Consistent Population Growth
Rather than sharp spikes or declines, these regions tend to see steady population inflows, helping maintain demand for services, housing, and local jobs.
Why This Matters for Real Estate Investors
If you're building or expanding a rental portfolio, employment trends are one of the strongest forward-looking indicators of demand. Here's what low unemployment tells us:
Tenant Reliability
Fewer jobless residents typically means more reliable rent payments, fewer evictions, and greater tenant retention.
Market Stability
These cities may not be booming, but their stability makes them less vulnerable to economic shocks. For long term buy-and-hold investors, that's critical.
Strong Fundamentals
When strong employment is combined with reasonable housing prices, you’re likely to see upward pressure on rents and property values.
Conclusion
Don’t let the national headlines distract you. Canada’s overall unemployment rate may be rising, but local markets tell a different story. Cities like Victoria, Quebec City, and Regina are quietly leading the way with strong job performance and investment potential.
Keep your focus on these stable markets, they offer the kind of long-term fundamentals that smart investors rely on.
Listen to Today’s Episode:
Real Estate Investing Morning Show – Hosted by Wayne & Gabby Hillier
About the Author
Wayne Hillier is one of Canada’s trusted experts in real estate investing education, specializing in Alberta’s thriving markets. Based in Edmonton, Wayne has over a decade of experience building a high-performing rental portfolio and coaching investors to achieve strong cash flow, sustainable wealth, and creative financing success. As co-founder of Real Estate Investing Masters, Wayne is a respected real estate investing coach and mentor, dedicated to helping Canadian investors confidently scale their portfolios. He is also the host of The Real Estate Investing Morning Show, Canada’s #1 daily podcast for real estate investing education.
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