Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, has issued the following statement on the release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for January 2025:

“We’re standing strong and defending British Columbians, workers, and industries against tariff threats from the United States. We are encouraged by the news that there will be a 30-day pause on the tariffs. Now, it’s full steam ahead on strengthening our economy to defend B.C. from this threat.

“We are fast-tracking major economic projects to deliver good paying, family-supporting jobs throughout the entire province and we are working hard to get B.C. goods to new markets, including the ongoing push to knock down trade barriers within Canada. So many people are coming together to buy B.C. and support Canadian products first.

“As B.C.’s minister of jobs, economic development and innovation, I met with my ministerial counterparts on the federal Committee on Internal Trade on Jan. 31 in Toronto to discuss expediting negotiations to reduce barriers to trade across the country. Increasing trade across the country is a key part of B.C.’s tariff-response strategy.

“B.C. has continued to show strength with a gain of 10,300 private-sector jobs in January – the third largest increase among provinces. B.C. has gained 178,900 private-sector jobs since July 2017.

“B.C. has also gained 19,900 full-time jobs since December 2024, the second-highest increase in full-time jobs among provinces.

“B.C.’s unemployment rate is 6.0%, one of the lowest unemployment rates among provinces and below the national average of 6.6%. B.C.’s average hourly wage is $37.53, the highest among provinces.

“Today's Labour Force Survey data shows a growth of 8,700 jobs in manufacturing, 6,100 in retail trade and 5,200 in construction, among other types of jobs. Construction has gained 24,500 jobs, compared to this time last year.

“The current global uncertainty posed by potential tariffs from the United States puts all of this at risk. That’s why we’re taking action to defend B.C. jobs in the face of this threat. The Committee on Internal Trade meeting last Friday provided an opportunity to boldly move forward to unlock markets and the flow of goods and services between provinces and territories.

“Right now, the provinces have conflicting regulations and rules, causing barriers to trade across the country. B.C. is working with our provincial counterparts to create a list of regulatory requirements in each jurisdiction, with the intention of achieving an agreement where regulations can be mutually recognized that will cover all goods and services sold or used in Canada.

“British Columbia has been a leader in reducing internal trade barriers and is one of the founding parties of the New West Partnership Trade Agreement, a regional trade enhancement agreement that surpasses the Canadian Free Trade Agreement in terms of ambition, coverage of economic sectors and lack of exceptions.”

Learn More:

To learn more about Clean and Competitive: A Blueprint for B.C.’s Industrial Future, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Clean_and_Competitive.pdf

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