Canadian employment was essentially unchanged in April on a monthly basis but up 1.5 per cent compared to 1 year ago. The national unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.8 per cent and total hours worked across the economy grew by 1.9 per cent.

In BC, employment grew by 2,900 jobs. With the economy close to its full-employment level, part-time work is being largely converted into full-time work. In April, BC added 18,200  full-time positions while losing 15,300 part-time jobs. Overall, the level of employment in BC has been trending sideways for several months and was up just 0.9 per cent year-over-year in March. The provincial unemployment rate moved 0.3 points higher to 5 per cent.

Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission.