BC unemployment rate surpasses national average

By Mike Kozakowski • Published on Friday, November 6, 2009 • Categorized as Business & the Local Economy, Local News

British Columbia’s unemployment rate surged to 7.7% in October (8.3% seasonally adjusted), far outpacing last October’s rate of 4.9% (5.2% seasonally adjusted). In a government document released today, B.C.’s often heralded position as one of Canada’s most insulated provinces from the economic doldrums is no more as the host of the 2010 Olympic Games squeezed past the national unemployment rate of 7.6% (8.6% seasonally adjusted).

Metropolitan Victoria’s 3-month moving average unemployment rate increased to 6.8% from 3.8% one year ago.

For more on the Victoria economy and discussions impacting the economy of the south Island, refer to the Wither the Victoria Eceonomy thread in the VibrantVictoria.ca discussion forum. To view the full B.C. employment report, click here.

Responses to this Headline or Article

The five most recent replies to VibrantVictoria.ca's discussion forum's Whither the Victoria Economy? thread, the most relevant thread to the above headline or article:

spanky123

Nov 06, 2009 at 3:59 pm

Quote: Google news has over 400 listings for that topic - so it has been reported

Thanks Mat,

I got my columns reversed but the point is that the TC didn't report it even though 1 day earlier they were glowing about the economy and job gains due to the Olympics.

Bingo

Dec 04, 2009 at 6:25 am

...WHILE THE REST OF CANADA CREATES JOBS

Dec 4, 2009

VICTORIA CONTINUES TO BUCK THE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT TREND -- IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

NATIONALLY, THE JOBLESS FIGURE FELL TO 8.5 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER AS 79-THOUSAND JOBS WERE CREATED.

BUT, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LOOKING FOR WORK IN VICTORIA GREW, HITTING 7.1 PERCENT IN NOVEMBER, UP FROM 6.4 PER CENT THE MONTH BEFORE.

B-C'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WAS UNCHANGED. STATISTICS CANADA SAYS B-C CREATED JOBS IN NOVEMEBER, BUT MORE PEOPLE CAME TO THE PROVINCE LOOKING FOR WORK.

THE PROVINCES THAT DID MAKE GAINS WERE ALBERTA, ONTARIO AND QUEBEC.

- RYAN PRICE - CFAX 1070

victorian fan

Dec 04, 2009 at 9:51 am

Quote: MORE PEOPLE CAME TO THE PROVINCE LOOKING FOR WORK.

Those people certainly skews the numbers.

spanky123

Dec 04, 2009 at 3:13 pm

The 7.1% unemployment rate is significant as it is the highest unemployment rate that Victoria has experienced in more than 10 years.

Again this month I note that one day after running an article on the real estate and economic pospects for Victoria, the TC fails to report (I see no mention on the website) the employment rate statistics.

spanky123

Jan 08, 2010 at 9:35 am

The unemployment rate has increased again in December to 7.3%.

Most retailers I have spoekn to in the last week are saying that January has started off very weak.

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