Regional job stats fluctuated in November

The labour force figures for the area that includes Vernon and the North Okanagan saw some fluctuations last month.

Statistics Canada says the Thompson-Okanagan economic region had an unadjusted unemployment rate of 4.3 per cent in November, while the regional employment rate was 54.3 per cent.

The unemployment rate was slightly improved from the 4.6 per cent recorded in October, though the employment rate took a hit of nearly a full point, falling from the previous month’s rate of 55.2.

StatsCan did not have figures for Vernon, but did have rates for Kelowna.

The data reporting agency said Kelowna’s adjusted unemployment rate in November was 4.7 per cent, up from 4.5 the month prior.

Meanwhile, the city’s employment rate declined from 56.1 per cent in October to 55.7 per cent in November.

The province and the nation also saw some labour force fluctuations.

StatsCan reported that British Columbia’s adjusted unemployment rate was 5.7 per cent in November, down a tenth of a point from the 5.8 per cent rate in October.

The provincial employment rate also fell by a tenth of a point from 60.0 in October to 59.9 per cent in November.

StatsCan data showed B.C. had the second lowest provincial unemployment rate in Canada in November after Saskatchewan (5.6 per cent); while it also had the seventh highest employment rate after Alberta (64.1 per cent), Saskatchewan (63.4), Manitoba (63.3), Prince Edward Island (62.1), Quebec (60.9), Ontario (60.0).

“As slow global economic growth and the impact of high interest rates continues to be felt throughout Canada, B.C. has continued to show strength with a gain of 1,400 jobs in November, all from full-time job growth,” Diana Gibson, B.C.’s Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, said.

“B.C.’s unemployment rate decreased to 5.7 per cent, the second lowest unemployment rate among provinces and well below the national average of 6.8 per cent.

“Private-sector employment is up by 5,100 this month, the second highest amongst provinces and up by 7,700 compared to this time last year.”

As Gibson noted, StatsCan also reported some fluctuations with the national labour force figures.

The agency said Canada’s national adjusted unemployment rate in November was 6.8 per cent, while the employment rate was 60.6 per cent.

Unemployment did increase from October’s rate of 6.5 per cent, though the employment rate was unchanged on a monthly basis.

StatsCan noted employment rose among men aged 24 to 54 years old across Canada in November, though employment of women aged 55 to 64 years old did decline.

It also noted employment rose in the wholesale and retail trade, construction, professional, scientific and technical services, educational services, and accommodation and food services sectors.

However, it did decline in the manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and natural resources sectors.