Just under 4,000 people were looking for work across northwest B.C. in April.
According to Statistics Canada, that equates to the month’s jobless mark being 8.8 per cent, up year over year from 6.8 per cent in 2025.
“The number of people searching for work was 3,700 in April of this year. Last month, that was 3,900 people. If you go back a year to April 2025, it was 3,100 people,” said Analyst Andrew Fields.
On the flip side, 38,000 people were working across the region in April, down from the 42,000 recorded a year prior.
Fields said main industries that saw employment declines were in natural resources, finance, and other services.
“There were increases in some industries. Construction had a jump and accommodation-food services; there were more people working in that as well,” he added.
The provincial unemployment was 6.8 per cent for the month which was the fifth lowest among provinces.
Canada’s rate rose 0.2 per cent to 6.9 per cent compared to a month prior.
Below is a provincial breakdown:
- Manitoba – 5.0 per cent
- Saskatchewan – 5.6 per cent
- Quebec – 6.2 per cent
- Nova Scotia – 6.3 per cent
- British Columbia – 6.8 per cent
- Alberta – 7.0 percent
- New Brunswick – 7.2 per cent
- Ontario – 7.5 per cent
- Prince Edward Island – 8.0 per cent
- Newfoundland and Labrador – 10.0 per cent
