Image: Supplied by Government of B.C. / Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation Ravi Kahlon says B.C. has the highest women's job recovery rate in all of Canada, on a day when the province's unemployment is pegged at 4.2%.
B.C. unemployment

B.C. unemployment rate pegged at 4.2% as economy added nearly 10,000 new jobs in October

Nov 4, 2022 | 9:22 AM

VICTORIA — The government of British Columbia is basking in the the release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for October showing the province has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.

The federal agency on Friday revealed in its workforce survey that British Columbia has a 4.2 per cent unemployment rate as the province added nearly 10,000 jobs in the month of October.

“As we continue to make our way through 2022, British Columbia added nearly 10,000 new jobs in the month of October. With steady growth and one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada (4.2%), B.C. continues to be a leader in Canada’s economic recovery, even as new global challenges emerge,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation.

Women are making significant strides in the marketplace based on B.C.’s distinction as having the highest women’s job recovery rate in the country.

“The most heartening news is the progress we are making on women’s employment. Today, B.C. leads Canada in economic recovery for women with the highest women’s job recovery rate in the country, reminding us how important our work on child care is for our collective success. Child care is an economic driver. Starting next month, workers and business owners with young children will save as much as $550 on child care costs,” Kahlon said.

But it’s not just individuals and families the B.C. government is trying to support. It’s aiming to support businesses through a number of measures, including:

* new tools to allow municipalities to provide property-tax relief to small businesses;

* allowing restaurants to purchase alcohol at wholesale prices, for savings of up to 20%;

* as the first province in Canada to make the food-delivery fee cap permanent, providing cost certainty and support to restaurants and bars; and

* cutting the small business tax rate and increasing access to it by raising the taxable capital ceiling from $15 million to $50 million.

“As the Bank of Canada tackles rising inflation through higher interest rates, we know people and businesses are being affected. Forecasters are projecting global economic challenges ahead. B.C. is not immune to global challenges, but no matter what is on the horizon, we will keep being there for people and businesses,” Kahlon said.

Kahlon, a Delta North MLA, is scheduled to visit Chilliwack later this month for MLA Kelli Paddon’s “Birthday Bash” on Saturday, November 26 at Old Yale Brewery.