P.G.’s unemployment rate drops half a per cent in June

More people in Prince George found themselves employed in the month of June, slightly knocking down the unemployment rate.

The northern capital saw its rate come in at 3.1 per cent, which was half a per cent lower than in May, and was 2.6 percentage points lower than the year prior.

Labour Division Analyst, Julian Alvarez said most of the employment increase came from full-time employment.

“For the month of June, there were around 60,000 people employed in Prince George. This was up 10,000 compared to June of last year.”

“Out of the 10,000 more employees, 7,000 were in full time positions.”

Provincially, the unemployment rate also dropped from 6.8 per cent in May to 6.5 in June, though was still 0.8 per cent higher than the year before.

The same unemployment rate trend was followed nationally, dropping to 6.5 per cent, down by only 0.1 when compared to May, and 0.4 lower than last year.

Here is a provincial breakdown:

• Manitoba – 5.4 per cent
• Quebec – 5.4 per cent
• Saskatchewan– 6.1 per cent
• British Columbia– 6.5 per cent
• Nova Scotia– 6.5 per cent
• Ontario – 7.0 per cent
• Alberta – 7.0 per cent
• New Brunswick– 7.3 per cent
• Prince Edward Island – 7.6 per cent
• Newfoundland and Labrador – 8.2 per cent