B.C. employment rate sees small gains in March amid economic turmoil

Statistics Canada released Canada's jobs numbers Friday, revealing that British Columbia's employment rate had a small gain in March compared to the previous month. 

However, regions throughout British Columbia appeared to be coping differently with global economic uncertainty. 

B.C.'s unemployment rate rose by 0.2 per cent last month to 6.1 per cent, according to Statistics Canada, with 5,700 jobs gained, which it said is not a significant change.

Nationally, the unemployment rate was 6.7 per cent in March, up from 6.6 per cent in February. That's a decrease of 33,000 jobs across the country.

Ontario had the most job losses, with the latest report showing 28,000 jobs lost in that province last month, resulting in an unemployment rate of 7.5 per cent. 

B.C.'s neighbour, Alberta, also suffered some of the biggest losses, with 15,000 fewer jobs. That province's unemployment rate is now 7.1 per cent. 

Saskatchewan gained the most jobs — 6,600, leading to an unemployment rate of 4.9 per cent.

Diversifying trade

Diana Gibson, B.C.'s minister of jobs, economic development and innovation, said in a written statement that the province's unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the country, and lower than the national average.

"As British Columbians braced themselves for another week of uncertainty from the United States, our government continues to stand strong for people, take action and defend our jobs," Gibson said in the statement. 

"All over the world, people are looking for new trading partners as the tariff threat now impacts countries around the globe. We are working to diversify our trade to support our businesses and protect and create more jobs."

Gibsons also pointed out that B.C. leads the country with the highest hourly wage among the provinces, at $37.64.

Variations by sector

But some sectors in B.C. took more of a beating than others. 

Statistics Canada's numbers show that the wholesale and retail trade sector suffered the biggest job losses last month, with 8,900 fewer people employed. 

That was followed by a category called "other services," which includes household personal services and repairs and maintenance, with 7,700 jobs lost. 

The biggest job gains were in health care and social assistance, with an increase of 6,600, followed by the information, culture and recreation sector, up 6,600. 

Variations by city

Statistics Canada also released seasonally adjusted, three-month moving average unemployment rates for major cities. It cautioned, however, that the figures may fluctuate widely because they are based on small statistical samples.

Here are the jobless rates for March by city (numbers from the previous month in brackets):

• Abbotsford-Mission, B.C. 6.1 per cent (5.5)
• Chilliwack, B.C. 6.6 per cent (7.0)
• Kamloops, B.C. 5.6 per cent (4.8)
• Kelowna, B.C. 5.8 per cent (5.3)
• Nanaimo, B.C. 6.0 per cent (6.0)
• Vancouver 6.7 per cent (6.8)
• Victoria 3.6 per cent (3.5)