Canadian employment rose to 20.03 million in January, up by 150,000 (0.5 per cent). The Canadian unemployment rate held steady at 5 per cent, hovering just above all-time lows. Employment gains were concentrated among workers aged 25 to 54; workers in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta; and workers in wholesale and retail trade, health care and social assistance, and educational services. Average hourly wages were up 4.5 per cent from January of last year, while total hours worked were up 5.6 per cent year-over-year. 

Employment in BC rose by 7,700 (0.3 per cent) to 2.771 million in January, while Metro Vancouver's employment rose by 0.4 per cent month over month. BC's unemployment rate rose to 4.4 per cent, still near record lows, while Metro Vancouver's rate rose to 4.7 per cent. Among the provinces, only Quebec, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan currently have a lower unemployment rate. 

Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission.