Construction saw the largest job gains in July 2026 as work began on several major projects in B.C., including Enbridge's Sunrise pipeline expansion. (Image Credit: Enbridge)

By Alyssa Conti

July Jobs Report

Chilliwack unemployment rate falls 1.1% as B.C. adds more jobs, Abbotsford stays at 8.3%

Aug 7, 2026 | 10:11 AM

CHILLIWACK — July labour figures from Statistics Canada are showing some respite from the unemployment front across parts of B.C.

Chilliwack added 2,100 jobs in July, cutting its unemployment rate from 8 to 6.9 per cent last month, though it remained up by 1.3 per cent from July 2025.

Abbotsford-Mission added 400 jobs, while unemployment stayed the same at 8.3 per cent.

“B.C.’s jobs divide remains stark,” said Kelowna-Mission MLA and Jobs Critic Gavin Dew. “Unemployment is far higher in business-driven communities like Kelowna and Abbotsford-Mission than in Victoria. Government should be focused on creating the conditions for private-sector investment and job growth.”

More people were also working in British Columbia (+17,800) last month, as the provincial unemployment rate fell for the second month in a row to 6.2 per cent – 0.2 points below the national average.

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The province says construction saw the highest gains, adding 7,000 jobs (+6.9% year-over-year) due to major projects moving from planning to building phases, including the $2 billion expansion of the Tilbury LNG facility in Delta, as well as Enbridge’s Sunrise Expansion Program spanning from Prince George to the Canada-U.S. border in Sumas.

Health care and social assistance also saw 5,000 jobs added as Simon Fraser University opens a new medical school.

Natural resources dropped by 12.6 per cent annually amid continued tariff challenges. There were also small losses of 500 jobs in the finance and rental industry, or a 7.2 per cent drop from the same time last year.

“British Columbia cannot control global uncertainty, but we can control how we prepare for it,” said Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon. “By investing in major projects, training the next generation of workers and opening new markets, we are creating good jobs today, while building a stronger, more resilient economy for the future.”

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

by Alyssa Conti

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Chilliwack unemployment rate falls 1.1% as B.C. adds more jobs, Abbotsford stays at 8.3%

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