Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, has issued the following statement on the release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for March 2024:

“In the face of high interest rates and slower global economic growth, B.C. held steady in March with a growth of 6,600 jobs and a gain of 75,000 jobs since March 2023.

“B.C. and Ontario were the only provinces with job gains in March. B.C.’s unemployment rate is 5.5%, the fourth-lowest among provinces and below the national average (6.1%). At $36.50, we have the highest average hourly wage among provinces.

“All of B.C.’s March job gains are in full-time employment and women’s increase in full-time employment was one of the highest among provinces at 6,700.

“British Columbia has also added the most self-employment jobs of any province since March 2023 at 33,300.

“When we look at today’s Labour Force Survey data, it’s encouraging to see increases in health care and social assistance (+10,300), given B.C.’s Health Human Resources strategy, which is taking action to recruit, train and retain the health-care workers people need.

“Yesterday, the Province announced funding for critical research infrastructure, including health and life sciences innovation, through another round of the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF). More than $52 million will support 25 BCKDF projects that help attract and retain world-class talent, develop new jobs and companies, and support research and technology advancement.

“Also in April, we celebrate Construction and Skilled Trades Month. We remain committed to making sure that we have enough skilled people working in the construction trades to support the Province’s housing plan. So far this year, employment in construction increased by 900 jobs. Employment and payroll data shows that B.C.’s construction jobs have grown by 36,800 since July 2017.

“Our government is working hard to make sure more people can access skills training and complete their apprenticeships, as this is an important entry point to a rewarding, good-paying career that is helping to build B.C. We are funding more than 26,000 apprenticeship and foundation training program seats.

“We recently launched the Workforce Innovation Fund to support B.C.’s construction employers tackle current labour shortages and deliver more homes for British Columbians. We also invest more than $100 million a year in trades education through SkilledTradesBC.

“The B.C. government keeps taking action to support people and businesses. Our StrongerBC Economic Plan is making the economy cleaner, creating jobs and helping local businesses grow.”

Learn More:

To find out more about the StrongerBC Economic Plan, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/plan/