Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economy Recovery and Innovation, has issued the following statement on the release of Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey for December 2020:

“Across Canada, we are seeing the impacts of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“B.C.’s economy has bucked the trend with modest gains adding 3,800 jobs, but we are not out of the woods as daily COVID-19 cases remain high.

“While B.C. added 24,000 full-time jobs across various sectors, including construction and manufacturing, about 20,000 part-time jobs were lost.

“B.C.’s total employment has now bounced back to 98.7% of pre-pandemic levels, but certain sectors like tourism and hospitality are still struggling. We are also seeing disproportionate impacts on people of colour who are both business owners and employees.

“There is reason for hope in the long term as independent economists predict B.C. will lead all provinces with the highest gross domestic product growth in 2021 and the lowest unemployment – but only if we are successful in bending the curve and reducing transmission.

“Our StrongerBC recovery plan is underway and helping to support people and businesses. I encourage all businesses that have been affected by the pandemic to apply for the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant.

“We need to stay focused on following the advice of our health professionals for the health of British Columbians as well as the health of our economy.”

Learn More:

To apply for the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant, visit: www.BCBusinessRecoveryGrant.com

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.