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 June 2025:

“Today's Labour Force Survey data demonstrates the work B.C. is doing to push forward on job creation, investment and economic development, despite the uncertain and challenging geopolitical climate we are facing from south of the border.

“In June, B.C. held steady with a gain of 5,000 jobs compared to last month with overall increases for six of B.C.’s seven regions. So far this year, B.C. has gained 50,700 full-time jobs, the highest increase among provinces.

“Women’s employment increased by 6,700 this month. So far this year, B.C. has had the highest increase in women’s full-time employment among provinces at 28,700.  

“Our unemployment rate is 5.6%, down from 6.4% last month, the third-lowest in Canada and below the national average of 6.9%. And B.C. continues to lead the country with an average hourly wage of $37.62, the second-highest among provinces.

“The data shows that in June, B.C. had employment increases in the accommodation and food-services sector at 8,000 jobs, and retail trade increased by 2,800 jobs.

“We know that the uncertainty of U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s tariff threats is proving extremely challenging for businesses. We’re doing everything we can to defend B.C. businesses and help open new markets and new opportunities so they can continue to grow.

“This past month, B.C. continued to drive forward the work to grow a stronger, more diverse economy and help protect and create good-paying jobs. We doubled down on our efforts to diversify trade in Asia and Europe, and remove interprovincial trade barriers across Canada.

“This week, British Columbia became one of the 10 signatories to the Committee on Internal Trade’s memorandum of understanding on direct-to-consumer sales of wine, spirits, beer or other alcoholic beverages, effective May 2026. There are already positive results for businesses due to the work to advance B.C. and Alberta’s direct-to-consumer wine sales, with a seven-fold increase in product moving across our border. 

“In the face of significant headwinds from south of the border, we’re standing strong for B.C., working with communities, workers and businesses to strengthen our economy and continue to create good jobs and prosperity throughout B.C.”

Learn More:

To learn more about B.C.’s response to tariffs, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/tariffs

To see the July 8, 2025, communique from the Committee of Internal Trade, visit:
https://www.canada.ca/en/intergovernmental-affairs/news/2025/07/committee-on-internal-trade-meets-to-strengthen-canadas-economy.html