Local unemployment rate falls by nearly a point, provincial rate among the lowest in the country

Jul 11, 2025 | 10:45 AM

The economic region that includes Vernon and all of B.C. has seen its unemployment rate decline.

Statistics Canada says the Thompson-Okanagan’s unadjusted unemployment rate in June was 5.9 per cent.

That was down nearly a point from the rate of 6.8 per cent in May. However, it was still up compared to the unemployment rate of 4.8 per cent in June of 2024.

Meanwhile, the local unadjusted employment rate made even more gains on a monthly basis.

StatsCan says the Thompson-Okanagan’s employment rate in June was 55.9 per cent.

Council grants

Vernon to distribute over $50k in Council Discretionary Grants, $20K to the food bank

6h ago

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

Dec 13, 2025

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

Dec 13, 2025

That was up more than a point from the rate of 54.5 per cent in May, though down almost that same amount from the 57.2 per cent employed the previous June.

The participation rate, which indicates the proportion of the population within the working age range, was 59.4 per cent in the Thompson-Okanagan during the last reporting month. That was up from 58.8 per cent in May but down from 60.1 per cent in June 2024.

StatsCan did not provide labour data specific to Vernon, but did have adjusted figures for Kelowna, where the unemployment rate was 6.2 per cent and the employment rate was 54.0 per cent in June. Those were improved from May’s figure of 7.0 per cent unemployed and 52.7 per cent employed.

Meanwhile, British Columbia’s unemployment rate fell to 5.4 per cent in June from 6.4 per cent in May. The provincial employment rate also rose from 61.3 per cent in May to 61.8 per cent in June.

StatsCan figures showed B.C.’s unemployment rate was tied with Saskatchewan (5.4) and Manitoba (5.4) for the lowest in the country.

“[The] Labour Force Survey data demonstrates the work B.C. is doing to push forward on job creation, investment and economic development, despite the uncertain and challenging geopolitical climate we are facing from south of the border,” Diana Gibson, B.C.’s Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, said in a release.

“In June, B.C. held steady with a gain of 5,000 jobs compared to last month, with overall increases for six of B.C.’s seven regions. So far this year, B.C. has gained 50,700 full-time jobs, the highest increase among provinces. Women’s employment increased by 6,700 this month. So far this year, B.C. has had the highest increase in women’s full-time employment among provinces at 28,700.”

The provincial unemployment rate was also below the national one, which was recorded at 6.4 per cent in the latest reporting month. That was down from 7.0 per cent in May.

As a whole, Canada’s employment rate in June was 61.3 per cent, up from 60.8 the month prior.

StatsCan said the changes were attributed to more men and women aged 25 to 54 entering the workforce in June, particularly in wholesale and retail trade, and in the health care and social assistance sectors.

by Liam Verster

View Comments