Kelowna unemployment rate among highest in B.C.

More Kelowna residents were employed in February than January this year but the Central Okanagan’s employment rate is still one of the worst in B.C.

According to recent Statistics Canada report, Kelowna’s unemployment rate dropped from 7.2 to 7.1% from January to February, but other large metropolitan centres like Abbotsford–Mission currently have an unemployment rate of 4.2% compared to 5.4% in January.

Figures for Kamloops, Vernon and Penticton were not available.

Vancouver’s unemployment rate for February was reported at at 5.4% while Victoria’s sat at 4.2%, an increase in those who are unemployed from January’s 3.9%.

The Central Okanagan’s labor force dropped from 113,200 in January to 112,200 in February, despite the population increasing by 400 residents between those two months.

In Canada, employment climbed 337,000 in February, more than offsetting losses that coincided with stricter public health measures in January, according to a report from Statistics Canada.

Canada’s unemployment rate dropped 1% to 5.5% in February 2022, lower than in February 2020 (5.7%) and similar to the record low (5.4%) observed in May 2019.

Employment gains last month were most notable in the accommodation and food services, and information, culture and recreation industries. Employment increases were widespread across provinces and demographic groups, according to the most recent labour market report.

On a year-over-year basis, average hourly wages increased by 3.1% in the country.

The unemployment rate fell 1.0 percentage points to 5.5% in February 2022, lower than in February 2020 (5.7%).

Among youth aged 15 to 24, the unemployment rate fell 2.7% to 10.9% in February after increasing 2.5% in January.

Hybrid work became more prevalent in February, increasing 0.9% from January to 4.5%. In the professional, scientific and technical services industry, where hybrid work is most common, hybrid work increased to 8.7% and working exclusively from home declined 2.5% in February to 56.9%.

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