Statistics Canada says the economy lost 207,000 jobs in April as a new rise in COVID-19 cases led to renewed public health restrictions that closed businesses.
The unemployment rate rose to 8.1 per cent from 7.5 per cent in March.
Statistics Canada says the number of employed people in April working less than half their usual hours increased by 288,000 or 27.2 per cent.
The losses in April nearly wiped out the 303,000 jobs added in March when the economy outpaced expectations and put the country about 503,100 jobs, or 2.6 per cent below pre-pandemic levels.
More losses were seen in full-time work than part-time work, with the figures respectively at 129,000 and 78,000, with the retail sector and young workers hit hardest.
Total hours worked fell 2.7 per cent, that TD senior economist Sri Thanabalasingam said could indicate a reversal in the overall economic recovery in April.
The ranks of the long-term unemployed climbed to 486,000 as about 21,000 more workers crossed the threshold of being without a job for six months or more.
Among them are 312,000 workers who have been unemployed for a year, having lost jobs during the plunge in the labour market during the first wave of the pandemic when three million jobs were lost over March and April 2020.
Prior to the pandemic, there were only 99,000 workers who had been unemployed for at least a year, the statistics agency noted.
As for British Columbia, the province witnessed its first decrease in employment since a historic plunge in the labour market in April 2020.
The B.C. government says unemployment climbed in BC due to the “circuit breaker” restrictions on indoor dining tightened in the province and non-essential travel was banned.
In addition, further restrictions were implemented for gyms and group fitness classes.
StatCan says BC’s jobless rate now stands at 7.1 per cent — up from 6.9 per cent in March — as 43,000 jobs were lost, marking the first major employment decline since the initial wave of the pandemic slammed the provincial economy last spring.
Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon says the NDP government knew the orders would mean hardship for part-time workers and those in the food services, accommodation, information, culture and recreation industries.
He says that is why the $125-million dollar Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant was created, offering up to $20,000 to impacted businesses and even more to the restaurant sector.
A statement from the BC Liberal party says all the April job losses were in the private sector and the Opposition is again urging the government to create a strategic private sector jobs plan to help needy businesses and workers.
Nationally, the latest setback in the labour market will carry a longer-term impact on the workers and businesses affected, said Leah Nord, senior director of workforce strategies with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Some companies may close for good, and workers may take longer to find new positions, she said.
“Our collective focus is currently on the light at the end of the vaccine tunnel, but we risk losing sight of the continued turbulence in the labour market — and what that means for the Canadians bearing the brunt of it,” she said in a statement.
Lockdowns and tight restrictions have continued into this month and could mean more losses show up when Statistics Canada reveals May’s jobs report, said CIBC senior economist Royce Mendes.
“The good news,” he writes in a note, “is that the curve is bending in some regions of the country and vaccinations are picking up pace, both of which should help the labour market begin to recover in June.”
With files to the Canadian Press.
Graham Cox
