Statistics Canada reports British Columbia’s labour market weakened slightly in April, with the province shedding 4,300 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis.
Full-time employment fell by 11,700 positions, partially offset by a gain of 7,300 part-time jobs. At the same time, 3,500 people left the labour force (stopped looking for work), contributing to a slight rise in the unemployment rate.
The province’s unemployment rate increased 0.1 percentage points to 6.8% in April.
Nationally, Canada lost 17,700 jobs in the month, with full-time employment dropping by 46,700. The national unemployment rate rose 0.2 percentage points to 6.9%.
April marked the second consecutive month of job losses in British Columbia. The decline was driven almost entirely by the full-time segment, while part-time work continued to grow modestly. The drop in labour force participation — 3,500 fewer people looking for work — helped prevent a sharper rise in the unemployment rate.
This data comes from Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for April 2026 and reflects seasonally adjusted figures.
The softening in BC’s labour market occurs against a backdrop of ongoing uncertainty in several key sectors, including housing, resources, and tourism-related industries. The province’s unemployment rate of 6.8% now sits above the national average of 6.9% for the first time in several months.
