The unemployment rate across northwest B.C. held steady through August according to Stats Canada.
It came in at 6.8 per cent, which is higher than the 5.9 per cent recorded a year prior.
Analyst Andrew Fields says that equates to about 3,200 people unemployed.
“In August, there were 43,800 people employed, up slightly from a year ago,” he said.
Fields added the total working age population also rose year over year, from 69,700 people to 70,400, despite the general population remaining about on par.
“This could mean several things. People who previously weren’t in the labour force are entering it,” he said.
That could include people who have graduated, chosen to enter the workforce, or needed to enter the workforce.
“These types of entrants to the labour market are driving up employment, but also driving up the unemployment rate because more people are searching for work,” Fields said.
Year over year, about 3,000 more people were working in wholesale and retail trade, and 2,000 more in construction.
At the same time, the natural resource sector, and finance and real estate saw a drop in employment numbers.
The province ranked fifth among others with August’s unemployment rate being 6.5 per cent, up compared to 6.2 the month prior.
Nationally, the jobless mark stayed level at 6.4 per cent.
Here is a breakdown of all provinces:
- Manitoba – 5.0 per cent
- Quebec – 5.6 per cent
- Saskatchewan– 6.0 per cent
- Nova Scotia – 6.1 per cent
- Alberta – 6.8 per cent
- Ontario – 6.9 per cent
- New Brunswick – 7.3 per cent
- Prince Edward Island – 7.9 percent
- Newfoundland and Labrador – 8.6 per cent
