Canadian employment increased by 0.4 per cent from the previous month, gaining 83,000 jobs to 21.061 million in June. The employment rate rose 0.1 points to 60.9 per cent, while the unemployment rate fell by 0.1 points to 6.9 per cent. Average hourly wages rose 3.2 per cent year-over-year to $36.01 last month, while total hours worked were up 1.6 per cent compared to June of the previous year.

Employment in B.C. rose by 0.2 per cent to 2.968 million, gaining 5,000 jobs in June. Employment in Metro Vancouver rose by 1.1 per cent to 1.735 million in June. The unemployment rate in B.C. fell by 0.8 points to 5.6 per cent in June. Meanwhile, Vancouver's unemployment rate similarly fell by 0.6 points to 5.8 per cent in the sixth month of the year. 

June's jobs report marks the first meaningful increase in employment since January, breaking a trend of largely stagnant job creation in 2025. Notably, the vast majority of employment growth was concentrated in part-time positions, reflecting greater demand for temporary roles across many industries during the summer. Moreover, the Canadian labour market remains relatively weak, with the national unemployment rate hovering near its highest level since the pandemic. This report likely favours a neutral stance from the Bank of Canada and a rate hold at its meeting later this month, though resurgent tariff risks will complicate the Bank’s outlook.

Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission.