Regional unemployment declined while the provincial rate saw an increase

Sep 4, 2026 | 12:00 PM

The area labour force saw some modest gains in August.

Statistics Canada reported that the Thompson-Okanagan economic region, which included Vernon, had an unadjusted unemployment rate of 7.2 per cent in the latest reporting month.

That was down from the rate of 7.5 per cent in July, though still well above the 5.1 per cent unemployed recorded in August of 2025.

The regional unadjusted employment rate meanwhile was recorded at 57.1 per cent this August. That was slightly down from July’s figure of 57.2 per cent, and below the 58.5 per cent in the previous August.

StatsCan did not include data specific to Vernon in it’s monthly Labour Force Survey report, but did have figures for Kelowna.

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In the Central Okanagan city, the adjusted unemployment rate was 9.0 per cent, while employment was 60.9 per cent. Those both improved from July’s figures when Kelowna had an unemployment rate of 9.3 per cent and an employment rate of 60.5 per cent.

Though there were some modest gains locally and regionally, that wasn’t the case for most of British Columbia.

StatsCan reported the province as a whole had an adjusted unemployment rate of 6.5 per cent in August, up from July’s rate of 6.2. B.C.’s employment rate also declined from 61.1 per cent in July to 60.9 per cent in August.

In a release, Adrian Dix, acting Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, said B.C. lost 5,500 jobs in August, but also noted that was “the smallest decline among large provinces.”

Dix added B.C.’s unemployment rate in August was the “fifth-lowest in Canada and below Alberta and Ontario,” and noting that “B.C.’s youth unemployment rate was 13.2 per cent, fourth-lowest among provinces.”

Nationally, unemployment was recorded at 6.4 per cent in August, which was unchanged on a monthly basis, though employment across Canada declined from 60.9 per cent in July to 60.8 per cent in August.

StatsCan said a total of 42,000 jobs were lost in August, with the largest declines in the business, building and other support services; public administration; natural resources; and utilities sectors.

by Liam Verster

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