B.C. posts leading jobs numbers, low jobless rate

VICTORIA - British Columbia posted the top job creation numbers in Canada last month and the province's jobless rate has fallen below six per cent. 

Statistics Canada reports B.C. added 12,300 jobs in September, with the unemployment rate dropping to 5.9 per cent.

Economic Recovery Minister Ravi Kahlon says the numbers indicate B.C.'s recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic is gaining strength provincewide, with the Prince George, Okanagan and Cariboo areas posting the strongest gains.

But he says there is more work to be done as some communities and people have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

The unemployment rate fell 0.3 percent points compared with August to land at 5.9%, according to new @StatCan_eng data. B.C. was the lone province with employment notably above its pre-pandemic level. @BIVnews https://t.co/IpnAbCV8Ie

— BusinessCouncilBC (@BizCouncilBC) October 8, 2021

Kahlon announced an expanded tech sector training program on Friday that gives priority to some under-represented people, including Indigenous Peoples, women, immigrants and the disabled. 

Statistics Canada also reported Friday that Canada added 157,000 jobs in September, bringing employment back to February 2020 levels.