Canadian employment grew by 231,000 jobs in June (1.2%, m/m) to 18.79 million, led by a 264,000 rise in the number of part-time jobs (offsetting a small decline in the number of full-time jobs). This growth brings employment back to nearly the levels in March, prior to two consecutive months of decline amid third-wave restrictions. The level of Canadian employment is now -1.8% (-340k) below its February 2020 pre-pandemic level. Ontario and other provinces eased third-wave restrictions in June. As a result, the industries driving growth in June across Canada were in accommodation & food services (+101k) and retail trade (+75k). The unemployment rate declined 0.4% to 7.8%.

In BC, employment rose by 42,000 (+1.6% m/m), following declines in April and May. The unemployment rate fell slightly from 7.0% to 6.6%, driven by growth in part-time work and the food & accommodation sector (+19k). BC is the lone province with employment above its pre-pandemic level. 

Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission.