Kelowna unemployment hits two year low, B.C. bouncing back

• Over 10,000 jobs created in B.C. since last month
• Kelowna has improved to 4.4 per cent unemployment rate
• Over 50,000 more working than at start of pandemic

Statistics Canada is reporting an unemployment rate of 5.6 per cent in British Columbia, the second-lowest in the country.

The Labour Force Survey for October shows 10,400 jobs were added provincewide. The jobless rate was 5.9 per cent in September.

Kelowna, meanwhile, has an unemployment rate of 4.4 per cent, compared to 5.4 the previous month, and added 1,200 jobs since September.

This is the lowest the unemployment rate has sat since November 2019. The city hit a high of 10.2 per cent in June 2020.

Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, said the report solidifies B.C.’s position as leading Canada's economic recovery, and he credited the restrictions surrounding COVID-19.

"The B.C. Vaccine Card has created stability in our economy, allowing businesses to remain open, while reassuring British Columbians as we gradually return to normal,” Kahlon said in a media release.

"There are now 51,000 more British Columbians employed than at the start of the pandemic - that's a direct result of people, businesses and communities working together to get through these tough times.”

The government said the job growth rate for the wider Thompson-Okanagan was the leader in the province at 107.6 per cent, compared to the previous month. Other notable job-recovery rates include Prince George at 107.1 per cent and Vancouver Island at 105.8 per cent.

Kahlon called on the public to keep the dollars in their community.

"As we head into in the holiday season, including Diwali currently being celebrated, I urge everyone to shop local and support our B.C. businesses," he said. "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."

National picture

The Canadian economy added 31,000 jobs in October, Statistics Canada reported Friday, bringing the national unemployment rate to a pandemic-era low.

Unemployment came in at 6.7 per cent, down from 6.9 per cent in September, to mark the fifth consecutive monthly decline.

Statistics Canada says the unemployment rate would have been 8.7 per cent in October, down from 8.9 per cent in September, had it not included in calculations Canadians who wanted to work but didn't search for a job.

Gains were seen across a number of industries, including the hard-hit retail sector, but offset by declines elsewhere, such as accommodation and food services.

Retail trade added 72,000 jobs in October that Statistics Canada notes pushed the industry back to its pre-pandemic levels for the first time since March.

--With files from The Canadian Press