Michelle Mungall, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness, has issued the following statement on the release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for February 2020:

“Since our government was elected more than two and a half years ago, B.C.’s labour market has been one of the strongest in the country. By putting B.C. workers into family-supporting jobs and providing the services that people count on, we’re building a strong, sustainable economy for the future.

“British Columbia’s unemployment rate of 5% remains among the lowest of all provinces in Canada.

“A good job makes all the difference. It means being able to build a better life for your family. In February, average hourly wages rose 30 cents to $29.13. Over the past year, hourly wages have increased by $2.12 (7.8%), leading the country in year-over-year wage growth.

“Higher wages combined with the 19,500 full-time jobs that have been created over the past year are further proof that our blueprint for building a prosperous B.C. is working.

“On the heels of Budget 2020 — widely praised by all of Canada’s major financial institutions — and our government’s commitment to building a stable, people-focused economy, B.C. will continue to be the most desirable place to live and work in Canada.

“B.C.’s resilient economy and workforce will also help us respond to global economic uncertainty, including the temporary impacts of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).”