BC #1 for Job Growth

Editor's Note - 3 words: More Good News!!!

Courtesy of the Province of BC:

Despite a volatile global market, the B.C. economy continued to create jobs, gaining 5,700 net new jobs in September. Since the release of ‘Canada Starts Here: the BC Jobs Plan’, B.C. has added 57,400 net new jobs, putting it first in the country for job creation.

As well, continued gains were made in full time positions with 1,828,900 full-time jobs in B.C. in September, an increase of 11,900 positions from August. Part-time employment was reported at 499,400 positions, down by 6,200 jobs from August.

Since August 2011, B.C. ranks first compared to other provinces, ahead of Ontario (gained 55,400 jobs), Alberta (gained 45,400 jobs) and Quebec (gained 35,100 jobs).

Since February 2011, B.C. has added 67,400 jobs. (In February 2011, there were 2,260,900 jobs.) B.C. has gained 87,000 full-time positions, offset by a loss of 19,600 part-time positions. (In February 2011, there were 1,741,900 full-time jobs).

B.C.’s labour force increased by 15,100 people in September and now stands at 2,503,400. Compared with one year ago, B.C.’s labour force has increased by 37,700 people.

B.C.’s unemployment rate of 7.0 per cent is up from August’s rate of 6.7 per cent and is 0.2 percentage points higher than September 2011’s rate of 6.8 per cent. B.C. has Canada’s fourth-lowest unemployment rate. Alberta (4.4 per cent), Saskatchewan (4.7 per cent) and Manitoba (5.0 per cent) have lower unemployment rates.

The unemployment rate for youth (15 to 24 years of age) was recorded at 14.0 per cent, up by 2.3 percentage points from August. In September 2011, the youth unemployment rate was recorded at 14.2 per cent.

The Hon. Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training said:

“Amidst a volatile global market the addition of 5,700 new jobs show our jobs plan is working and more British Columbians are finding work. Our province ranks first among provinces for job growth in the nation and means more B.C. families have paycheques they can count on.”