Image: Canadian Press

By Alyssa Conti

NOVEMBER JOBS REPORT

Unemployment holds steady at 7%, 7.2% in Chilliwack and Abbotsford: StatCan

Dec 5, 2025 | 9:09 AM

CHILLIWACK — Despite 6,200 jobs being added across B.C., unemployment in key Fraser Valley cities continued to hover around 7 per cent in November, according to Statistics Canada’s latest jobs report.

Abbotsford-Mission has remained at 7.2 per cent and lost 400 jobs between September and November, while Chilliwack added 1,600 jobs and decreased unemployment by one point to 7 per cent.

Joblessness in British Columbia went down to 6.4 per cent – up by 1.4 from November 2024. The national average is slightly higher at 6.5 per cent.

“Today’s jobs report may show B.C.’s unemployment rate dipping slightly from 6.6 to 6.4 percent, but British Columbians are not breathing any easier,” said Conservative Jobs Critic Gavin Dew. “We are living through an opportunity recession: more anxiety, less opportunity.”

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NOVEMBER JOBS REPORT

Unemployment holds steady at 7%, 7.2% in Chilliwack and Abbotsford: StatCan

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The Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth says tariff impacts are still to blame, as the natural resources sector (-25.5% YOY) continues its persistent downward trend throughout the year.

“Tariffs from the United States are causing havoc, and it’s never been more important to make sure we’re doing everything possible to strengthen, diversify and grow our economy to protect the jobs that people rely on,” wrote Minister Ravi Kahlon.

The agriculture industry continues to dominate year-over-year increases, spiking by 45.8 per cent from 2024. Manufacturing is still up by 8 per cent annually despite losing 1,900 jobs in the past month.

Finance, insurance and leasing posted the highest monthly loss at 6,800 (-6% YOY), while technical services such as legal and accounting jobs saw an increase of 9,400 from October to November.

Local industry data is not available in the jobs report. More details are available on StatCan’s November Labour Force Survey.