Unemployment rate continues to decrease in Northeast BC during October, healthcare employment sees boost in BC

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The unemployment rate in Northeast B.C. continued to decrease as it dropped from 7.0 percent in September to 5.6 percent in October.

According to B.C. Stats, the number of people working in the Northeast during October increased by 800 from 38,300 in September to 39,100.

At this time a year ago, the unemployment rate for the Northeast was at 6.2 percent, with 39,200 people working.

As for the rest of B.C., 33,500 jobs were added, with the provincial unemployment rate dropping to 8.0 percent.

The majority of the jobs added across the province were in the sectors of Healthcare and Social Services, with about 8,400 being added.

The manufacturing sector also saw large gains with 5,900 jobs being added.

Across Canada, 84,000 jobs were added, with the national unemployment rate declining to 8.9 percent.