Canadian employment rose to 19.77 million in December, up by 104,000 (0.5 per cent). The Canadian unemployment rate fell by 0.1 to 5 per cent, hovering just above all-time lows. Employment rose or was steady in all Canadian provinces month-over-month, and employment rose in the private sector while holding steady in the public sector. Average hourly wages were up 5.1 per cent from December of last year, while total hours worked were up 1.4 per cent year-over-year. 

Employment in BC rose by 16,600 (0.6 per cent) to 2.765 million in December, while Metro Vancouver's employment rose by 0.1 per cent month over month. BC's unemployment rate fell in December to 4.2 per cent, near record lows, while Metro Vancouver's rate fell to 4.4 per cent. Among the provinces, only Quebec and Saskatchewan currently have a lower unemployment rate. 

Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission.