Canadian employment rose by 64,000 (0.3 per cent) in September. The Canadian unemployment rate remained flat at 5.5 per cent, now unchanged for three consecutive months. Average hourly wages rose 5 per cent year-over-year to $34.01 in September, while total hours worked were up 2.6 per cent from September of last year.

Employment in BC rose 0.9 per cent to 2.81 million, while employment in Metro Vancouver rose 2 per cent to 1.61 million. The unemployment rate rose to 5.4 per cent in BC, up from 5.2 per cent in August, while remaining unchanged at 5.8 per cent in Metro Vancouver.

Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission.