Infoline Highlights for the Week of October 21-25

Employment Insurance - The number of British Columbians receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits decreased slightly (-0.7% seasonally adjusted) in August, to 42,300. Nationally, EI beneficiaries inched 0.4% higher between July and August, to reach 453,240.
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Wholesale Sales - Sales by wholesalers in the province inched down in August (-0.3%), nearly reversing a similar increase recorded in the previous month (+0.5% in July). The slowdown in August was due mostly to losses in the machinery, equipment and supplies (-1.0%), motor vehicle (-3.9%) and miscellaneous (-5.8%) subsectors.
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Retail Sales - Retail sales in British Columbia climbed 0.8% (seasonally adjusted) in August, following a lacklustre July (-0.1%). Nationally, retail sales mirrored those of B.C., stalling -0.1% in August, having shown strength in July (+0.6%)
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Visitor Entries - International visitor entries to Canada through British Columbia was down (-0.9% seasonally adjusted) in August, as the number of visitors from the U.S. continued to slow (-0.5%). Meanwhile, the number of guests from overseas also declined (-1.9%)
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Food Services and Drinking Places - Receipts at food services and drinking places in B.C. were relatively unchanged (-0.1% seasonally adjusted) in August. Canadian establishments saw receipts inched up (+0.3%) despite revenues declining in seven provinces.
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Building Investment - Total investment in building construction in B.C. dipped in August, decreasing 3.1% (seasonally adjusted) to $2.7 billion. Investment in non-residential building construction in the province was 1.9% higher than in July
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Small Business Profile - In 2018, British Columbia’s small business GDP accounted for 34% of the provincial GDP, well above the Canadian average of 30%. This measure indicates that small business in British Columbia plays a more significant role in the provincial economy than it does in most other parts of the country.
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Current Surveys

• BC Hydro Workforce Profile Survey
• BC Public Service Exit Survey
• BC Public Service New Job Survey
• BC Student Outcomes Survey of Baccalaureate Graduates
  
• BC Wildfire Service Auxiliary Work Environment
  
• FrontCounter BC Customer Satisfaction Survey
• Long Term Disability (LTD) Application Process Survey
• WES Pulse Check
• Workforce Development Agreement Outcomes
• Workforce Development Agreement Employer Outcomes
  

You can read more about any of these by visiting our Current Surveys page.