Canada Last Week: Jobs Hit, China Ruling & Olympics

The past week in Canada featured economic headwinds, a significant diplomatic breakthrough with China, the kickoff of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, and evolving international relations amid U.S. pressures. Here’s a recap of the top developments shaping the nation.

1. Labour Market Softens: Canada Loses ~25,000 Jobs in January

Canada’s economy shed approximately 25,000 jobs in January 2026, with the unemployment rate falling slightly to 6.5%—a 16-month low—as fewer people actively searched for work. Declines hit sectors like manufacturing and part-time roles hardest, though full-time employment saw some gains. This cooling follows earlier strength but reflects broader adjustments, including trade uncertainties and structural shifts noted by the Bank of Canada.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration has responded with moves like repealing the strict EV mandate and introducing new purchase rebates to support the auto sector and counter external disruptions.

2. Diplomatic Progress: China Overturns Death Sentence for Robert Schellenberg

In a key development, China’s Supreme People’s Court overturned the death sentence for Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, detained since 2018 on drug smuggling charges. The court ordered a retrial, marking a potential thaw in Canada-China ties following recent high-level engagement. The reversal is viewed as a positive signal amid efforts to stabilize relations strained for years.

3. Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Underway: Team Canada Competes

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina officially began, with Team Canada delivering strong performances early on. Highlights included a 4-0 shutout win over Switzerland in women’s hockey, solid showings in figure skating (fifth in the team event), and medal hopes in freestyle skiing, speed skating, and more. Despite challenges like injuries (e.g., U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn’s crash) and postponed events, Canadian athletes are in contention across disciplines.

Prime Minister Carney issued a statement celebrating the Games’ opening, as national pride swells with multi-site competition in Italy.

4. Strengthening Arctic Ties: Canada Opens Consulate in Greenland

Canada advanced diplomatic relations by opening a consulate in Greenland’s capital, amid ongoing U.S. sovereignty comments on the region. This move bolsters cooperation in the Arctic, emphasizing shared interests in security and climate challenges.

5. Defence Procurement Heats Up: Submarine Contract Competition Intensifies

Bidders for Canada’s next-generation submarine fleet ramped up efforts, with South Korea’s Hanwha planning a Pacific voyage to showcase capabilities, competing against Germany and others in this high-stakes defence deal.

Additional notes from the week include federal public servants facing a return-to-office mandate (four days/week starting summer), travel advisories for Cuba due to energy shortages, warnings about potential measles exposure in Manitoba, and discussions on U.S. trade dynamics affecting the USMCA review.

Canada navigates these events with resilience, balancing domestic priorities and global positioning.

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