B.C. ranks first in job growth since August 2011 compared to other provinces, followed by Alberta, Quebec and Ontario.

During August of this year, 2,322,600 people were working in British Columbia. This number is up from 2,307,700 positions in July and an increase of 51,700 jobs compared with August 2011.

B.C. gained 14,900 jobs in August and part-time employment increased by 18,600, more than offsetting the decline of 3,700 in full-time positions.

Last month, strong gains were recorded in transportation and warehousing (+12,900 jobs), public administration (+9,900), and accommodation and food services (+3,700) industries.

B.C.'s unemployment rate dropped to 6.7 per cent as result of higher part-time employment, positioning this province below the national average (7.3 per cent) and the fourth-lowest across Canada.

Since September 2011, B.C. has added 23,900 jobs, with full-time positions increasing by 32,800, more than offsetting the decline in part-time positions of 8,900.

Since February 2011, B.C. has added 61,700 jobs, stemming from the gain of 75,100 full-time positions and offset by a loss of 13,300 part-time positions.

Overall, B.C.'s labour force increased by 8,200 people in August and now stands at 2,488,300. Compared with one year ago, B.C.'s labour force has increased by 34,600 people.

Regionally, the Lower Mainland-Southwest gained 4,600 positions, the Thompson-Okanagan gained 1,900 positions and the Cariboo gained 1,300 positions.

'Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan' builds on government's solid foundation of prudent fiscal management to attract investment and open new markets for B.C. products and services, and to create jobs for British Columbians. The plan is bringing new dollars to the province through increased investment and more exports to trading partners in Asia and beyond.

Quote:

Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training -

"B.C. ranks first nationally in terms of job growth since August 2011 showing the province's strong and stable growth across a variety of sectors. Since February 2011, our job creation numbers show an overall gain of 61,700 jobs".

Learn More:

Visit B.C's one-stop working resource: http://www.workbc.ca

Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training
250 356-8177