B.C. lost jobs in April despite national unemployment rate improving

Despite Canada’s unemployment rate reaching its lowest level since at least 1976 in April, B.C. failed to keep pace with the overall national trend.

Statistics Canada says the unemployment rate dropped to 5.2 per cent last month. However, provincially, B.C.’s rate increased to 5.4 per cent — from 5.1 per cent in March.

Despite the drop of about 2,000 jobs in B.C., the province maintains it “continues to lead Canada’s economic recovery.”

“This marks 11 straight months when B.C. has led the country in post-pandemic job recovery with 92,500 more people working today than before the pandemic. There are also 49,600 more people working in the private sector now than before the pandemic. This is one of the highest private-sector recovery rates in the country. B.C.’s unemployment rate also continues to be among the lowest in Canada at 5.4%,” said Ravi Kahlon, B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation.

“In addition to our strong job numbers, B.C. is leading the country in overall GDP growth. New data recently released shows B.C. had the highest real GDP growth of all major provinces in 2021, growing by 6.2%. While many sectors are recovering strongly, some people continue to face challenges. We are determined to continue to use this economic strength to lift people up.”

---

Related article: Canada’s jobless rate drops to lowest level in nearly 5 decades

---

Kahlon points to the province’s fight against systemic racism, as well as support for sectors like health care, as measures it’s taking to help economic recovery and growth.

In Prince Edward Island, the unemployment rate remained unchanged in April, staying at 8.1 per cent. New Brunswick followed with a rate of 7 per cent — down from 7.7 per cent in March, while Nova Scotia saw its rate drop to six per cent, down from 6.5 per cent the month before.

Ontario was on par with B.C. with 5.4 per cent in April, while Saskatchewan saw a slight increase in its rate to 5.5 per cent last month from five per cent in March.

Alberta, meanwhile, added thousands of jobs last month, with its jobless rate improving to 5.9 per cent from 6.5 per cent.

Overall, Canada added 15,300 jobs in April.

#Breaking Canada's April Unemployment rate falls to the lowest on record dating back to 1976…
down 0.1% to 5.2%.

Alberta jobs up 16,000
New Brunswick up 6,700
Quebec down 27,000

— Mike Eppel (@eppman) May 6, 2022

Bank of Montreal chief economist Doug Porter said the moderate gain in employment nationally is a sign of much more normal conditions. However, he says it is also one where the supply of new workers may be beginning to be the binding constraint on growth.

Statistics Canada says a number of signs point to an increasingly tight labour market in recent months, including a drop in the number of part-time workers that would prefer full-time work.