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By Liam Verster

Labour Statistics

Local workforce statistics improved in April

May 10, 2024 | 10:01 AM

The local labour statistics saw some improvements monthly in April.

Statistics Canada reported the unadjusted unemployment rate for the Thompson-Okanagan economic region, which includes Vernon, was 5.8 per cent in April. That was down from the rate of 6.7 per cent recorded in March.

The local unadjusted employment rate came in at 54.5 per cent, up from 53.5 per cent recorded the month prior.

The Thompson-Okanagan’s unadjusted participation rate, or the number representing the percentage of the population aged 15 or older who were in the workforce, was recorded at 57.9 per cent last April. That figure was up from March’s rate of 57.3 per cent, but down from 61.3 in April of 2023.

However, the figures were down annually, as the Thompson-Okanagan had an unadjusted unemployment rate of 4.4 per cent and an employment rate of 58.6 per cent in April of 2023.

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Statistics Canada did not provide data specific for Vernon but did have rates for Kelowna.

In April, Kelowna’s adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9 per cent, the employment rate was 57.6 per cent, and the participation rate was 60.6 per cent.

Those figures were up from March when the unemployment rate was 5.4 per cent, employment was 56.9, and the participation rate was 60.2.

British Columbia also saw some positive gains in April.

StatsCan’s data for the province showed the unemployment rate was 5.0 per cent, the employment rate was 62.0, and participation was 65.2 per cent.

B.C.’s unemployment rate fell from March’s 5.5 per cent, and employment rose from the previous month’s rate of 61.7. However, the participation rate did decline from March’s 65.3 per cent.

“In the face of high interest rates and slower global economic growth, B.C. remained strong with a gain of 23,400 jobs in April and a gain of 93,000 jobs since this time last year,” Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, stated.

“B.C.’s private-sector gain of 23,100 in April is the largest among provinces. Compared to this time last year, our private-sector employment is up by 22,700, the second-largest increase among provinces over this period.”

She noted B.C.’s unemployment rate was the lowest in the country, followed by Manitoba (5.1 per cent), Quebec (5.1), and Saskatchewan (5.7).

StatsCan noted the national adjusted unemployment rate was 6.1 per cent in April, the employment rate was 61.4, and the participation rate was 65.4 per cent.

Canada’s unemployment and employment rates were unchanged monthly, but the participation rate did increase from the 65.3 per cent figure in March.

However, those stable rates were not reflected in an annual comparison, as Canada’s rates in April of 2023 were 5.1 per cent unemployed, 62.3 employed, and 65.7 per cent participating.