Premier John Horgan has issued the following statement on the release of Statistics Canada's Labour Force survey for October 2020:

“Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of British Columbia has focused on implementing measures to provide relief to those hardest hit and support a strong economic recovery for all British Columbians.

“The Labour Force Survey for the month of October shows British Columbia led the country, creating 33,500 jobs. The province’s unemployment rate fell to 8.0%, well below the national average.

“This is the sixth consecutive month where we have seen significant job creation in B.C., bringing total employment to 97.6% of our pre-pandemic levels in February.

“This jobs report is another positive sign for our economy and the people of British Columbia. However, the numbers, while welcome, do not fully reflect the continuing serious hardship in some sectors of the economy. We know there is much more to do as some businesses are still struggling.

“First and foremost on all of our minds should be our collective efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and once again flatten the curve. That means staying local, only spending time with our ‘safe six’ and following the safety basics at work, at school and at home.

“British Columbia has proved the key to a strong economic recovery is effective management of public health and preventing the spread of this virus. We must redouble our efforts.

“At the same time, B.C.’s government will continue to deliver support to people and businesses still struggling to get back on their feet. We will get through this by working together.”

Learn More:

For information on services and benefits available to help people and businesses through the pandemic, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/COVIDgovernmentbenefits

For non-health related information, including financial, child care and education supports, travel, transportation and essential service information, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/Covid-19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week.