Prince George’s unemployment rate rose to 6.9 per cent in October, up 0.2 per cent from September, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Friday.
While the percentage of people unemployed in the city rose slightly, B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation Ravi Kahlon said the city’s unemployment rate is lower than it was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"B.C. has the second-lowest unemployment rate in the country at 5.6 (per cent), and we continue to lead all provinces with a job recovery rate of 101.9 (per cent),” Kahlon said in a press release. "Our job-recovery rate regionally continues to be strong, led by the Thompson-Okanagan at 107.6 (per cent). Other notable job-recovery rates are Prince George at 107.1 (per cent), Vancouver Island at 105.8 (per cent), Cariboo at 105 (per cent), Kootenays at 100.3 (per cent), Lower Mainland at 101.9 (per cent), Vancouver at 101.4 (per cent) and North Coast-Nechako at 100 (per cent).
The city’s workforce participation rate – the number of working-age adults employed or seeking jobs – remained steady from September at 69.3 per cent.
The city’s unemployment rate was down significantly from October 2020, when the unemployment rate stood at 9.4 per cent. The city’s participation rate in October 2020 was 73 per cent.
Provincially, there are roughly 51,000 more British Columbians working now than when the pandemic started in March 2020, according to a statement released by the B.C. government.
"The Labour Force Survey for October solidifies B.C.'s position as leading Canada's economic recovery with another 10,400 jobs added throughout the province last month,” Kahlon said. "Our government remains committed to lifting people disproportionately affected by the pandemic. That's why I am pleased to see that employment among B.C.'s Indigenous population is 10.6 (per cent) above pre-pandemic levels and the unemployment rate for people of colour continues to decline - now sitting 1.5 percentage points lower than the national average.”
Kahlon urged British Columbians to support jobs in their communities by shopping local over the holiday season.
"(And) as we all know, a healthy economy is dependent on a healthy B.C., so please do your part and get vaccinated, so we can come together safely and hold our celebrations as we're accustomed."
