Lower rates needed to offset demographic, financial headwinds
Jobless rates unchanged in December, remaining low for the year
Still, the jobless rate slipped to 4% to start 2025
The manufacturing sector carried the largest employment gains, adding 33,000 jobs
Economic fallout would weigh on banks' credit quality, driving loan losses
Canada Post strike drove decline in payrolls, vacancies stayed flat
The key labour market metrics remained at record levels in third quarter
Many economists don’t expect the Fed to cut rates again until the second half of 2025, if at all
Payroll employment, job vacancies both decline as labour demand ebbs
Job vacancies continue decline, total labour demand slips, in third quarter