Regional unemployment rose in September

Oct 10, 2025 | 9:50 AM

The economic region that includes Vernon saw the unemployment rate increase last month.

Statistics Canada said in the monthly Labour Force Survey report that the Thompson-Okanagan’s unadjusted unemployment rate was recorded at 6.0 per cent in September.

That figure was up from August’s rate of 5.1 per cent, and from the 5.2 per cent rate recorded in September of 2024.

Meanwhile, the regional unadjusted employment rate made some gains.

StatsCan data showed the Thompson-Okanagan’s unadjusted employment rate was 59 per cent in September.

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That was up from the 58.5 per cent rate in August, and almost three points above the 56.1 per cent rate in September of 2024.

The data collection agency did not provide details specific for Vernon, but did have statistics for Kelowna.

StatsCan said Kelowna had an adjusted unemployment rate of 7.1 per cent in September, along with an employment rate of 61.8 per cent.

Those were both up from August’s figures of 4.1 per cent unemployed and 59.2 per cent employed.

The participation rate, or the amount of the population within working age, also increased in the latest reporting month.

StatsCan says the participation rate in the Thompson-Okanagan rose to 62.8 per cent in September, up from 61.8 per cent in August. Kelowna’s participation rate also increased from 61.7 per cent to 66.5 per cent over that period.

The provincial figures also saw gains, though not to the same extent as those seen in the Okanagan.

StatsCan said B.C.’s unemployment rate rose to 6.4 per cent in September, up from 6.2 per cent in August.

The provincial employment rate went up from 60.6 per cent in August to 60.7 per cent in September.

The participation rate in B.C. also increased from 64.9 to 64.9 per cent on a monthly basis

“[Statistics Canada’s] Labour Force Survey numbers for September show an increase of 7,800 jobs, compared to last month in B.C., with the largest increases in manufacturing, accommodation and food services. Year over year, B.C. has seen an increase of 48,600 jobs,” Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, stated in a release.

“B.C. leads the country in year-over-year private-sector job growth, with a gain of nearly 56,000 jobs since September 2024, demonstrating the strength and resilience of B.C. businesses.”

The Labor Force Survey results also showed that B.C. had the fifth lowest unemployment rate in Canada in September after Quebec (5.7) Saskatchewan (6.0), Manitoba (6.2), and Nova Scotia (6.2).

B.C.’s unemployment rate also stayed below the national figure in the latest reporting month.

StatsCan said Canada as a whole had an unemployment rate of 7.1 per cent in September, which was unchanged on a month-over-month basis.

The national employment rate rose from 60.5 per cent in August to 60.6 per cent in September.

The national participation rate also saw a slight increase, climbing to 65.2 per cent in September from 65.1 per cent in August.

by Liam Verster

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