Regional unemployment fell in September, but still up on an annual basis

Oct 9, 2026 | 12:04 PM

The economic region that includes Vernon saw a slight decline in unemployment in the latest reporting month.

Statistics Canada said the Thompson-Okanagan economic region had an unadjusted unemployment rate of 7.0 per cent in September.

That was down from the rate of 7.2 per cent in August, but still above the 6.0 per cent unemployed in September of 2025.

Meanwhile, the economic region had an unadjusted employment rate of 56.3 per cent in the latest reporting month. That was down from August’s rate of 57.1 per cent, and well below the 59.0 per cent recorded the previous September.

Though the overall Okanagan saw unemployment decline, that was not the case for Kelowna.

NOHS Fundraiser

Dancing with the Vernon Stars raises over $202K for hospice

1h ago

Labour Statistics

Regional unemployment fell in September, but still up on an annual basis

1h ago

Dry Creeks, Low Lake Levels

Okanagan drought conditions remain a concern

Oct 8, 2026

The Central Okanagan city had an adjusted unemployment rate of 9.3 per cent this September, up from 9.0 per cent in August and from 7.,1 per cent in September of 2025.

Kelowna’s adjusted employment rate was 61 per cent in the most recent reporting month, which was up from the rate of 60.9 per cent in August but down from the previous September when employment was 61.6 per cent.

StatsCan did not provide data specific for Vernon.

Meanwhile, B.C. as a whole saw unemployment take a slight dip, falling from 6.5 per cent in August to 6.4 per cent in September. That was the same as the unemployment rate recorded the previous September as well.

B.C’s employment rate did decline however, falling to 60.5 per cent in September compared to August’s rate of 60.9 per cent and to the 60.7 per cent employment rate in September 2025.

SatsCan noted this was B.C.’s first decrease to the employment rate since March.

Nationally, unemployment was recorded at 6.5 per cent. That was up from a rate of 6.4 per cent in August, but down from the 7.1 per cent unemployment rate in September of 2025.

Canada’s employment rate was recorded at 60.6 per cent in September, which was unchanged on a year-over-year basis but was down from the rate of 60.8 per cent in August.

SatsCan noted in it’s monthly Labour Force Survey report that “the [national] employment decline was concentrated among youth aged 15 to 24 as well as women aged 25 to 54,” and that the sectors that saw most loses were “educational services, health care and social assistance, as well as manufacturing.” However, there were “more people working in ‘other services,’ which includes repair and maintenance as well as personal or household services.”

by Liam Verster

View Comments