Good news continues to roll in when it comes to local, provincial and national economic numbers.
In the latest Labour Force Survey data released by Stats Canada today (April 9), Prince George saw its unemployment rate drop once again, this time by a half per cent in March from 6.4 to 5.9 per cent.
B.C.'s rate, however, stayed the same and came in at 6.9 per cent last month.
#Employment rose 303,000 (+1.6%) in March, following a 259,000 (+1.4%) increase in February, bringing employment to within 1.5% of its February 2020 level. https://t.co/We9YEoCcuw #CdnEcon pic.twitter.com/EcVR3H59RQ
— Statistics Canada (@StatCan_eng) April 9, 2021
"While this report is another sign our approach to an innovative, sustainable and inclusive economic recovery is working, some sectors are still struggling, and we are not out of the woods yet," Ravi Kahlon, B.C.'s Minister of Jobs, Economy Recovery and Innovation, says in a statement.
"With recent temporary public health orders necessary to address rising COVID-19 case counts, we expect those impacts will be reflected in next month's jobs report.
"A healthy B.C. and a healthy economy go hand in hand, and the best way we can support our businesses, people and communities is to bend this curve."
Nationally, Canada saw an unemployment rate of 7.5 per cent compared to 8.2 per cent in February.
More jobs were added last month amid COVID-19. By Statistics CanadaStatistics Canada says Employment in retail trade rose by 95,000 jobs while 62,000 jobs were added in the information, culture and recreation industry, marking the first increase since September.
Accommodation and food services also had good news, seeing another 21,000 jobs added in March.
