Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests, on behalf of Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, who is travelling to India for a trade mission, has issued the following statement on the release of Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey for December 2025:

“There’s no doubt that the trade shocks caused by U.S President Donald Trump are real. But in 2025, British Columbians responded with strength.

“Today's Labour Force Survey numbers for December 2025 show over the course of the past year, B.C. added 24,100 jobs overall, including an increase of 16,800 jobs in construction. This reflects our government’s commitment to building the schools, hospitals and transportation infrastructure that British Columbians rely on.

“While December saw a slight loss of 3,300 jobs, B.C.’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.4%, the third lowest in Canada, despite the national unemployment rate rising to 6.8%.

“Private-sector jobs increased in December by 5,600, the second highest gain among provinces. Compared to this time last year, B.C. has gained 25,600 private-sector jobs. 

“December also saw B.C.’s average hourly wage rise to $38.60, the highest in the country, and saw Canada’s largest increase in women’s employment, a gain of 11,100 jobs.

“As outside threats affect people’s lives here in B.C., particularly in the forest sector, attracting new investment, targeting new, growing markets, and supporting good-paying jobs in British Columbia is more important than ever.

“Building on our Look West plan, the Premier’s trade mission to key regions in India will showcase B.C.’s strengths in clean energy, sustainable forestry, responsible mining and clean technology. By attracting investment and reducing our reliance on U.S. markets through diversified trade partnerships, we will create more good jobs and prosperity for all British Columbians.

“We already have the highest share of exports to India of any Canadian province, and during the Premier’s mission to India, the B.C. delegation will meet with government and business leaders in major centres of commerce and technology to grow those relationships for the benefit of our entire province.

“Through our Look West plan, our goal is to deliver major projects faster, expand skills training, grow key sectors and double exports to non-U.S. markets over 10 years to strengthen B.C.’s economy.

“As a province, we’re well positioned to be the economic engine of Canada’s future.”

Learn More:

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

To learn more about Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger BC and Canada, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/LookWest