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By Liam Verster

Job Stats

January saw some improvements to the regional labour force

Feb 6, 2026 | 11:07 AM

The economic region that includes Vernon saw a bit of a bounce back to its labour force in January, but it’s still struggling a bit.

Statistics Canada said the Thompson-Okanagan area had an unadjusted unemployment rate of 6.8 per cent last month.

That was down from the rate of 7.4 per cent in December, but still up compared to the 5.2 per cent unemployment in January of 2025.

The change was not exactly reflected in the regional unadjusted employment rate, which was recorded at 57.5 per cent this January.

That was down from a rate of 57.8 in December, but up compared to 54.6 per cent employed in January 2025.

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The Thompson-Okanagan’s participation rate, which reflects the population that falls within working age, was 61.7 per cent in the most recent reporting month. That was down from the rate of 62.4 per cent in December, but up from January 2025’s rate of 57.6 per cent.

StatsCan did not have data specific for Vernon, but did have adjusted figures for Kelowna.

The Central Okanagan city had an unemployment rate of 6.8 per cent, an employment rate of 61.8 per cent, and a participation rate of 66.3 per cent in January of 2026.

Comparatively, Kelowna’s rates in December were recorded at 8.3 per cent unemployed, 62.6 per cent employed, and 68.2 per cent participating.

Meanwhile, B.C. as a whole had an adjusted unemployment rate of 6.1 per cent, an employment rate of 60.9 per cent, and a participation rate of 64.8 per cent in January.

Those were generally improved from December when unemployment was 6.3 per cent, employment was 60.7 per cent, and the participation rate was 64.9 per cent.

“[The] Labour Force Survey numbers for January show an increase of 13,000 jobs in construction since this time last year, with a growth of 400 jobs this past month. This reflects the steady pace of construction activity supporting essential infrastructure throughout the province,” Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, stated.

“Despite a slight 0.1% dip in private-sector jobs in January, compared to this time last year, B.C. has gained 12,800 private-sector jobs, for the third-highest growth in Canada.

“Overall, B.C.’s total employment increased by 3,500 in January, including an increase of 6,200 in health care, which reflects B.C.’s ongoing efforts to attract more qualified health-care professionals to the province.”

StatsCan’s figures also showed that B.C. had the third lowest unemployment rate of any province in January after Quebec (5.2 per cent) and Saskatchewan (5.3 per cent).

Canada as a whole also saw unemployment improve from a rate of 6.8 per cent in December to 6.5 per cent in January.

However, the national employment rate dipped slightly from 60.9 to 60.8 per cent, while participation fell from a rate of 65.4 to 65.0 per cent.

StatsCan said the national unemployment rate declined “as fewer people searched for work,” and the main decline in employment was attributed to women aged 25 to 54. There were also employment declines in manufacturing, educational services, and public administration, though the information, culture and recreation, business, building and other support services, agriculture and utilities sectors all saw employment gains.

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