More jobs were created in November, while the number of people looking for work dropped, reversing a trend that had dogged the labour market over the past few years. Photo by Paige Taylor White/Bloomberg/Postmedia files

Canada’s better-than-expected employment numbers for a third straight month took economists by surprise, and most now seem to agree interest rate cuts are done for 2026.

The economy added 54,000 positions during November and the unemployment rate fell to 6.5 per cent from 6.9 per cent, Statistics Canada said on Friday. Economists had expected a loss of 2,500 jobs and for the unemployment rate to rise to seven per cent.

Here’s what economists think the job numbers mean for the economy and for the Bank of Canada .

‘Adds to hopes’: Continuum Economics

“The

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