The jobless rate in the Kootenays is up from this time last year along with a significant reduction in the labour force.
Stats Canada reports regional unemployment of 6.6% in June – compared to 6.1% in June of 2013.
Nine thousand two hundred workers also left the labour market during that time.
May’s unemployment was 7.7% – but Stats Canada says year over year numbers provide a better picture than month to month because of seasonal factors.
And there is no figure for the West Kootenay alone.
Meanwhile, BC’s jobless rate went up to 6.2% in June from 6.1% in May and Canada’s unemployment checked in at 7.1% – up from an even 7 in May.