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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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October 2019

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) +15,300
Full time positions Jobs (% change since last month) +0.6% Jobs (change since last month) +12,700
Part time positions Jobs (% change since last month) +0.5% Jobs (change since last month) +2,600

Source: Labour Force Survey (monthly, seasonally adjusted)

Unemployment and participation rates

October 2019 September 2019
Unemployment rate October 2019 4.7% September 2019 4.8%
Participation rate October 2019 65.4% September 2019 65.2%

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)+6.3%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+11,800
Agriculture Jobs (% change
since last month)+3.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+800
Construction Jobs (% change
since last month)+0.2%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+500
Educational Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.1%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-2,000
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing Jobs (% change
since last month)+1.4%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+2,300
Health Care and Social Assistance Jobs (% change
since last month)-0.7%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-2,300
Manufacturing Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-1,700
Other Primary Jobs (% change
since last month)+0.2%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+100
Other Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-1.7%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-2,000
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Jobs (% change
since last month)-0.5%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-1,100
Public Administration Jobs (% change
since last month)+6.0%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+7,000
Transportation and Warehousing Jobs (% change
since last month)+1.1%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+1,600
Utilities Jobs (% change
since last month)-4.3%		 Jobs (change
since last month)-500
Wholesale and Retail Trade Jobs (% change
since last month)+1.6%		 Jobs (change
since last month)+6,200

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 (%) October 2019 vs October 2018
Cariboo October 20196.9% vs October 20184.7%
Kootenay October 20195.6% vs October 20186.2%
Mainland / Southwest October 20195.0% vs October 20184.2%
Abbotsford October 2019 4.9% vs October 2018 4.7%
Mission October 2019 4.9% vs October 2018 4.7%
Vancouver October 2019 5.0% vs October 2018 4.3%
North Coast & Nechako October 20194.4% vs October 20184.7%
Northeast October 20196.2% vs October 20185.6%
Thompson-Okanagan October 20194.6% vs October 20185.5%
Kelowna October 2019 4.1% vs October 2018 5.0%
Vancouver Island / Coast October 20194.3% vs October 20184.5%
Victoria October 2019 3.2% vs October 2018 3.9%

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