Employment and Labour Data

We gather labour force data from Statistics Canada to compile the industry-specific details outlined below. The labour force for Canada’s established energy industry refers to those 15 years of age and over who were employed or unemployed, and available to the labour market, specifically within the following energy sectors: oil and gas exploration and production (including oil sands), energy services, pipelines and refining.

Data updated monthly
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In March 2025, Canada’s energy industry employed approximately 205,900 workers—reflecting a 1.0% increase (+2,000) from February. Employment in the pipelines, refining and energy services sectors rose by 10.6% (+1,300), 8.2% (+1,100) and 3.7% (+3,000) respectively, while employment in the exploration and production sector declined by 3.5% (-3,400). Canada’s energy industry unemployment rate fell 0.1 percentage points to 3.2% in March 2025.

Compared to March 2024, energy industry employment was down 0.7% (-1,400). Year-over-year, employment in the refining and exploration and production sectors decreased by 15.7% (-2,700) and 5.9% (-5,900) respectively, while employment in the pipelines and energy services sectors increased by 28.3% (+3,000) and 5.4% (+4,200) respectively.

Of the 205,900 workers employed in the energy industry, 200,000 were employed full-time and 5,900 were part-time. Most workers were employees (189,000) and 16,900 were self-employed. The energy services sector had the most self-employed workers at 16,100.

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Canada's energy industry composition

Employment by gender

Employment by age

Employment by type of work

Employment by class of worker

All data and figures were sourced from Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (LFS). Included are labour force, employment and unemployment from the following established energy sectors: exploration and production (including oil sands), energy services, pipelines and refining*. Since the LFS is a sample survey, all estimates are subject to both sampling and non-sampling errors. As such, data availability and accuracy can be challenging for data subsets (e.g., by sector and by province).

*Refining data available starting in January 2023.

For an overview of the Labour Force Survey and definitions please visit: Statistics Canada’s monthly Labour Force Survey

Employment and Labour Data

Regional Highlights

National Highlights