While employment numbers saw little movement in May, BC did see an increase in unemployment.
That comes from Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for last month, showing that Canada had a 0.1 percent increase in employment, totaling 20.5 million people nation-wide with jobs. Their unemployment rate is at 6.2 percent, a 0.1 percent increase from last May.
In BC employment is at 2.8 million but saw a decrease of 0.3 percent.
While the province’s unemployment rate is at 5.6 percent, Minister of Jobs Brenda Bailey says it is lower than the national rate, making it one of the lowest in the country.
“In May, private-sector employment increased by 3,700; public sector decreased by 12,600, and self-employment increased by 1,000,” said Bailey.
In a statement about the survey, Bailey says they have remained steady in job growth in the private sector with 3,700 new jobs.
Other changes she highlights include women’s full-time employment increasing to 10,400, youth employment having the largest year-over-year increase at 28,600, and the minimum wage going up to $17.40 an hour.
Bailey adds they aim to train people for good-paying jobs and to collaborate with all sectors to make jobs for those in need.
For a look at the survey, click here.
