Canadian employment rose by 0.3 per cent to 20.17 million in June. The Canadian unemployment rate rose to 5.4 per cent after rising to 5.2 per cent in May. Total hours worked were up 2 per cent year over year, while average hourly wages were up 4.2 per cent from June of last year.

Employment in BC was little changed in June, falling 0.1 per cent to 2.778 million, while falling by 0.3 per cent in Metro Vancouver to 1.570 million. The unemployment rate jumped to 5.6 per cent in BC, up from 5 per cent in May, while rising to 5.7 per cent in Metro Vancouver.

Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission.