B.C. adds more than 100,000 jobs in June; youth unemployment still high: finance minister

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — Employment gains in May and June show 40 per cent of jobs lost in B.C. since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic have been recovered, with many those in the food services sector, Finance Minister Carole James said Friday.

The latest numbers from Statistics Canada show 118,000 jobs were added in the province last month.

Despite the job gains, the unemployment rate in B.C. remains at 13 per cent. It was 13.4 per cent in May, and was five per cent at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in February.

“The total net job loss since the start of the pandemic stands at 235,000,” James said.

“Consistent with what we’ve seen since the start of the health crisis, the services sector continues to show the greatest overall losses since the beginning of the pandemic. But as businesses reopen, and we go through the restart, it is actually where we’re also seeing the significant job gains. In fact, the accommodation and food services sector accounts for 50 per cent of this month’s gain in jobs,” she added.

Youth employment

While job numbers in June are up, the youth unemployment rate remains at 29.1 per cent — up two-tenths of a point since May.

“Some good news on that front — 45,000 young people did, in fact, find jobs last month,” James said.

The province continues to look at ways to support post-secondary training and skill development for youth, she added.

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James also pointed out that the restart did not mean businesses rehired all workers, as they continue to follow health and safety protocols.

“They’re making sure that their employees are safe they’re making sure their customers will be safe, and people are starting to see that confidence by going back to businesses.”

James reiterated that women were more likely to have lost their jobs due to COVID-19 than men.

Economic update

She also mentioned she will provide a snapshot on the province’s finances next week.

“We’ll be looking at the extraordinary investments we’ve had to make to support people, to support services, and support businesses, as well as updated revenue and deficit forecasts, and that of course will further inform our economic recovery planning,” she said.

“It’s a long-term process. This isn’t going to be a short-term process to get us back on track.”

Travel and hospitality

Regarding tourism, James said with travel restrictions still in place and expected to be for some time, the hospitality industry will continue to face challenges, and rely more on local patrons.

Meanwhile, James also said more than 600,000 British Columbians received the emergency benefit from the provincial government.

She also said B.C. is still negotiating with the federal government for a portion of the $14 billion to be dispersed among the provinces for pandemic recovery.

The Canadian economy added 952,900 jobs in June, above the average estimated gain of 700,000. The addition of nearly a million jobs brings the unemployment rate to 12.3 per cent. May saw a record rate of 13.7 per cent.