B.C. and Ontario were the only provinces in Canada to add new jobs in March, according to the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation.
According to Statistic Canada’s labour force survey, the national unemployment rate increased in March to 6.1 per cent. B.C.’s unemployment rate was lower, however, at 5.5 per cent.
“In the face of high interest rates and slower global economic growth, B.C. held steady in March with a growth of 6,600 jobs and a gain of 75,000 jobs since March 2023,” said B.C. Jobs Minister Brenda Bailey in a press release.
“B.C. and Ontario were the only provinces with job gains in March. B.C.’s unemployment rate is 5.5 per cent, the fourth-lowest among provinces and below the national average (6.1 per cent). At $36.50, we have the highest average hourly wage among provinces."
Bailey added that all of the new jobs in March were full-time, “and women’s increase in full-time employment was one of the highest among provinces at 6,700.
“British Columbia has also added the most self-employment jobs of any province since March 2023 at 33,300. When we look at today’s Labour Force Survey data, it’s encouraging to see increases in health care and social assistance (+10,300), given B.C.’s Health Human Resources strategy, which is taking action to recruit, train and retain the health-care workers people need.”
