For the second straight month, unsurprisingly, Prince George has seen a major increase in the unemployment rate according to new statistics released today (Oct. 11).
With the ongoing forestry industry struggles causing curtailments and mill closures throughout the north and interior regions, Statistics Canada says Prince George now sits at a 5.7 per cent unemployment rate for last month compared to 4.9 in August.
July held a rate of 4.3 per cent.
Provincially, B.C. had a lower unemployment rate compared to August, coming in at 4.8 for September.
Canada as a whole also saw a decrease in the employment rate, with the recorded number last month being 5.5 per cent compared to August, where the country had a 5.7 per cent rate.
The country added 54,000 jobs last month, which Stats Canada says was mainly driven by gains in full-time work.
Self-employment rose as well as the number of those working in the public sector with rises of 42,000 and 33,000 respectively.
The largest drop in industry work came in natural resources with 7,000 jobs being lost.
Compared to one year ago, jobs in this industry have fallen by 34,000 (-6.8 per cent).
Health care and social assistance saw a total increase of 30,000 employed while accommodation and food services grew by 23,000 in September.
Private sector employees stayed the same, but have seen a 283,000 (+2.3 per cent) increase compared to the same time last year.
