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Labour market snapshots

The monthly Labour Market Snapshot offers a quick overview of B.C.'s labour market. You'll find industry and regional highlights, as well as information on provincial employment, unemployment and participation rates.

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November 2018

B.C. employment trends

Jobs (% change since last month) Jobs (change since last month)
Total employment Jobs (% change since last month) +0.6% Jobs (change since last month) +15,900
Full time positions Jobs (% change since last month) -0.9% Jobs (change since last month) -17,500
Part time positions Jobs (% change since last month) +6.2% Jobs (change since last month) +33,400

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Unemployment and participation rates

November 2018 October 2018
Unemployment rate November 2018 4.4% October 2018 4.1%
Participation rate November 2018 65.3% October 2018 64.8%

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Industry highlights

Jobs (% change
since last month)		 Jobs (change
since last month)
Accommodation and Food Services Jobs (% change
since last month)+0.5%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+1,000
Agriculture Jobs (% change
since last month)+14.2%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+3,300
Construction Jobs (% change
since last month)+2.1%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+5,000
Educational Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-2.2%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-3,800
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing Jobs (% change
since last month)+0.4%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+600
Health Care and Social Assistance Jobs (% change
since last month)+1.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+3,400
Manufacturing Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.3%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-2,300
Other Primary Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.8%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-900
Other Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.9%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-2,300
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.7%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-3,600
Public Administration Jobs (% change
since last month)+0.6%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+600
Transportation and Warehousing Jobs (% change
since last month)+0.1%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+200
Utilities Jobs (% change
since last month)+4.2%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+600
Wholesale and Retail Trade Jobs (% change
since last month)+0.8%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+3,000

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Regional highlights

Select your region:
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
Unemployment rate (%) November 2018 vs November 2017
Cariboo November 20184.9% vs November 20175.9%
Kootenay November 20184.1% vs November 20177.5%
Mainland / Southwest November 20183.9% vs November 20174.1%
Abbotsford November 2018 4.6% vs November 2017 4.9%
Mission November 2018 4.6% vs November 2017 4.9%
Vancouver November 2018 4.1% vs November 2017 4.2%
North Coast & Nechako November 20184.0% vs November 20175.0%
Northeast November 20184.3% vs November 20175.3%
Thompson-Okanagan November 20184.9% vs November 20177.6%
Kelowna November 2018 3.9% vs November 2017 6.1%
Vancouver Island / Coast November 20183.7% vs November 20174.4%
Victoria November 2018 3.8% vs November 2017 3.3%

Source: Monthly Labour Force Survey, 3-month moving average, seasonally unadjusted

Related Topics
Explore career profiles Discover B.C. and Regional profiles Find industry information Read the B.C. Labour Market Outlook