Canada’s central statistical agency has announced its release schedule for a slate of key economic indicators covering December 2025, including employment figures, inflation data, and trade statistics. These monthly releases provide important insight into how the economy ended the year and help analysts, businesses and policymakers assess trends in labour markets, consumer prices and international commerce as Canada heads into 2026.

The first major update will cover labour market conditions, including the number of jobs created or lost, the unemployment rate and changes in hours worked. Labour market data are closely watched because they provide a timely view of economic momentum and household income trends. A strong jobs report can signal robust consumer demand and confidence, while weaker employment gains or rising unemployment may indicate slowing economic activity and influence monetary policy decisions by the Bank of Canada. In December, statisticians will also detail sector-level employment patterns, offering clues about which industries are adding workers and which may be encountering hiring headwinds.

Following the labour report, the agency will publish the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for December, a key gauge of inflation. CPI measures the change in prices that Canadians pay for a broad basket of goods and services, including food, shelter, transportation and energy. Inflation readings shape expectations about cost of living pressures and influence decisions by central banks on interest rates. For instance, if inflation remains elevated or accelerates unexpectedly, policymakers may be less inclined to cut interest rates; conversely, softer price growth could support calls for more accommodative monetary policy.

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The December schedule will also include international merchandise trade figures, capturing exports, imports and the trade balance for the month. Trade statistics reflect the performance of Canadian goods in global markets and help assess demand for key exports such as energy products, machinery, agriculture and manufactured goods. A surplus or deficit in trade can influence gross domestic product (GDP) estimates and indicate how external demand is contributing to overall economic growth.

Together, these December releases form a broad picture of the economy’s health at the end of 2025. Investors and market strategists use this data to recalibrate forecasts for corporate earnings, interest rates and currency movements. For example, stronger-than-expected job gains and export growth could buoy equity markets and strengthen the Canadian dollar, whereas soft inflation and weak trade figures might temper market optimism.

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Because these reports are released at specific points in the first half of January, they often set the tone for economic expectations in the new year and inform decisions by consumers, businesses and policymakers alike. Analysts will be watching closely for trends in wage growth, price pressures and international demand, as these variables play significant roles in shaping economic activity in early 2026.

In summary, the upcoming schedule of monthly economic data releases will provide a comprehensive snapshot of jobs, prices and trade performance in December, offering valuable insights into how the Canadian economy closed out 2025 and signaling potential directions for the year ahead.