Statistics Canada’s jobs report released Friday said B.C.’s employment rate rose 0.4 per cent last month.
Most of that was full-time work, which saw a gain of 15,700 positions, while the province lost about 2,800 part-time jobs.
Construction and technology led the way, adding 22,300 jobs combined, while sectors such as accommodation and food services, and transportation and warehousing saw declines.
The province also lost 4,800 jobs in the information, culture and recreation sector, which includes media such as film and television production.
The province’s unemployment rate edged up slightly to 6.4 per cent. Statistics Canada notes Victoria had the lowest jobless rate among Canada’s 20 largest cities, at 3.7 per cent.
“[It] shows that despite the economic challenges posed by the U.S., in May, B.C. led across the country with a gain of 13,000 jobs compared to last month,” said B.C. Jobs Minister Diana Gibson in a statement. “So far this year, B.C. has gained 67,000 full-time jobs, the highest increase among provinces.”
But B.C. Conservative MLA Gavin Drew pointed to the rise in unemployment in May as a negative indicator.
“It’s time the B.C. NDP faced the reality of a rising unemployment rate, and the difficulties British Columbians are having finding work,” Drew said in a statement.
He said it’s part of a broader weakening of the job market across Canada.
Nationally, there was little change in the overall employment rate, while the jobless rate rose 0.1 percentage points to seven per cent.
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