2024 ended with a jump in not just employment, but also unemployment for BC.
Statistics Canada released their Labour Force Survey for December, showing that employment went up by 0.4 percent for Canada, with a total of 20.7 million people employed throughout the country.
For BC, their employment numbers saw an increase of 0.5 percent, with 2.84 million people working.
Provincial minister of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation Diana Gibson says along with employment, more jobs had been added.
“B.C. closes out 2024 on a positive note with a gain of 14,100 jobs in December, even as slow global economic growth and the threat of proposed U.S. tariffs continue to be felt across Canada,” said Gibson.
“Our province continues to show strength with a gain of 4,300 private-sector jobs last month, building on additional private-sector job gains over the past few months. Youth employment in B.C. increased in December by 8,700 jobs.”
The survey says while Canada’s unemployment rate, currently at 6.7 percent, went down by 0.1 percent, BC’s unemployment rate went up by 0.3 percent, now sitting at 6 percent.
For this year, Gibson says the province aims to help those in need in response to the potential tariffs from the incoming Trump Administration.
This includes a strategic trade mission where Premier David Eby and other premiers will outline retaliation measures to the tariffs in Washington, DC on February 12, enhancing trade with other provinces, and diversifying trade partners.
To see the full survey, click here.
