Regional unemployment rate on the rise

Apr 4, 2025 | 12:35 PM

The economic region that includes Vernon saw unemployment rise in March.

Statistics Canada reported that the unadjusted unemployment rate for the Thompson-Okanagan area was 6.1 per cent in March of 2025.

That was up from the rate of 5.7 per cent in February, but down on an annual basis as the rate was 6.7 per cent in March of 2024.

Additionally, the regional employment rate in the latest reporting month was 52.5 per cent.

StatsCan data showed that rate was down from the 53.5 per cent recorded in February, as well as down from the rate of 54.1 per cent in March of 2024.

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The data collection agency didn’t have figures specifically for Vernon, but did have rates for Kelowna.

In March, Kelowna’s adjusted unemployment rate was 5.8 per cent, while employment was 52.3 per cent.

Those marked declines in the labour force on a monthly basis, as the Central Okanagan city had an unemployment rate of 5.3 per cent and an employment rate of 55.1 per cent in February.

B.C. and Canada as a whole also saw impacts to the work force in March.

StatsCan said B.C. had an unemployment rate of 6.1 per cent and an employment rate of 61.1 per cent in the latest reporting month.

Provincial unemployment was up slightly from the 6.0 per cent rate in February, though employment was unchanged on a monthly basis.

B.C. was tied for the fourth lowest unemployement rate in March with Nova Scotia. The provinces with lower rates were Saskatchewan (4.9 per cent), Quebec (5.7) and Manitoba (6.0).

The national job figures also took a bit of a hit in the latest reporting month.

StatsCan said Canada’s unemployment rate was 6.7 per cent, while the employment rate was 60.9 per cent.

Comparatively, the national figures from February were 6.6 per cent unemployed, and 61.1 per cent employed.

StatsCan said this was the first decrease in employment since January of 2022, and followed a stable month in February that came after three months of growth between November and January.

March marked the first increase to the national unemployment rate since November of 2024. It also noted that the national rate had not fallen below the pre-pandemic average of 6.0 per cent since March of 2024.

StatsCan said the national employment rate for men aged 55 and older declined in March, noting Alberta and Ontario both recorded steep employment rate drops during that month as well.

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by Liam Verster

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