Kootenay unemployment rate sits at 3.5%

People looking for work are a rare breed in the Kootenays.

Statistics Canada says the local jobless rate stood at 3.5 per cent in January, down from 5.9 per cent in the same month of 2022.

The population of 141,200 was an increase of 1,200, while the number of people working grew from 74,200 to 79,100 and the number searching for jobs dropped from 4,700 to 2,900.

However, the rate was up from 2.9 per cent in December, when 77,300 people were working and 2,300 were looking for work.

The national unemployment rate held steady at five per cent as employment increased by 150,000.

Stats Can says the gains came mainly in people aged 25 to 54, evenly split between men and women. Gains were also seen in people 55 and older.

The biggest increases were in wholesale and retail trade, health care and social assistance, and educational services. But employment declined in transportation and warehousing.

The number of employees grew in both the private and public sectors while the number of self-employed workers held about steady.

Continue Reading

chnv Now playing play

ckkc Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Puck drop date set for KIJHL season

The puck will drop on the 2025-26 KIJHL regular season on Friday, September 19, when the league’s 21 teams each embark on a 44-game schedule.

Council votes to bring Baker Street market back downtown

Following months of community debate and vendor frustration, Nelson’s Wednesday farmers market will return to it’s longtime home on Baker Street next week (July 16). 

Report makes six recommendations on event safety after Lapu Lapu festival tragedy

A report commissioned by the B.C. government after a deadly attack at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver makes a number of recommendations to improve security at public events.

B.C. SPCA welcomes proposed ban on exotic cats

The B.C. SPCA is welcoming proposed regulations from the B.C. government to ban all exotic cat species. 

RCMP seeking two men after explosion outside MLA Bowinn Ma’s North Van office

RCMP have released images of two men they believe were involved in an explosion last month in North Vancouver, which damaged the front door of the building housing the constituency office of B.C. NDP MLA and cabinet minister Bowinn Ma.
- Advertisement -