Statistics Canada said British Columbia’s economy gained 7,800 jobs in June.
The jobs report released Friday said B.C.’s unemployment rate fell 0.3 percentage points to 6.5 per cent.
June’s job growth was driven largely by full-time work, with 5,200 positions added.
The youth unemployment rate declined to 12.9 per cent, compared to 15.3 per cent in May. On a year-over-year basis, that puts it about on par with June 2025, when the youth unemployment rate was 13 per cent.
B.C. lost 9,000 jobs in accommodation and food services positions in June. The economy also shed 3,000 jobs in construction and 2,900 in manufacturing.
The province added 8,500 jobs in the health care and social assistance sector. It also gained 7,300 transportation and warehousing jobs, and 5,000 education roles.
B.C.’s Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon noted the province has added 33,000 new jobs in the past two months.
“Despite continued global uncertainty, including ongoing U.S. tariffs and instability in the Middle East, British Columbia continues to show resilience by creating jobs, attracting investment and welcoming the world during the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Kahlon said in a statement.
“While today’s survey captures only part of the tournament period, we expect the economic benefits of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be felt into the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, B.C. Conservative economic development critic Gavin Dew said youth unemployment remains high, despite modest improvements in June.
“The summer job is a rite of passage,” said Dew. “The first rung on the ladder is still missing for far too many young people.”
The Conservatives are presenting a new youth jobs plan, including a “first job tax credit” for employers, 10,000 new paid work placements and changes to how temporary foreign labour is used in the province.
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