The unemployment rate in Victoria is one of the lowest relative to other major cities in Canada, according to Statistics Canada.
The city’s unemployment rate was 3.4 per cent in June, a slight decrease from 3.5 per cent in May, and below the country’s national unemployment rate of 5.4 per cent.
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The only other major city in B.C. to have a lower unemployment rate than Victoria was Kelowna, which saw its unemployment rate dip to 2.9 per cent in June, down from 3.1 per cent in May.
Outside of B.C., Quebec City claimed the lowest unemployment rate out of major cities in Canada in June, with a rate of three per cent. Meanwhile, Peterborough, Ont., had an unemployment rate of 7.4 per cent in June, marking the highest out of major cities in the country.
Overall, B.C.’s unemployment rate was slightly above the national average at 5.6 per cent.
Vancouver saw a modest increase in its unemployment rate, up to 5.4 per cent in June from 5.1 per cent in May.
B.C. Jobs Minister Brenda Bailey says the latest employment data from Statistics Canada shows the provincial economy is “holding steady,” despite the province’s unemployment rate rising to 5.6 per cent, up from five per cent the month before.
Bailey says the province still has one of the lowest unemployment rates compared to other provinces, and notes that 3,700 full-time jobs were created in B.C. last month, although that was offset by a loss of 6,300 part-time positions.
Statistics Canada notes that the figures were based on small statistical sample sizes and that the accuracy could fluctuate by city.
-With files from the Canadian Press
Adam Chan
