Statistics Canada says the unemployment rate in the Kootenays last month was lower than both the national and provincial rates, and lower than the same time last year.
It stood at 5.9 per cent in our region in July, compared to 6.2 per cent overall in BC and 6.9 per cent across Canada. In July 2024, the local jobless figure was 6.1 per cent.
StatsCan says 85,400 people were employed in the Kootenays last month. Of them, 76,300 were employees, split between 60,700 in the private sector and 15,600 in the public sector. The other 9,100 were self-employed.
At the same last year, there 88,200 people working, of whom 76,200 were employees (61,100 private sector and 15,100 public sector), while 12,000 were self-employed.
Across the country, StatsCan says employment fell by 41,000 jobs, although the unemployment rate was unchanged.
The agency said the employment decline was concentrated among youth aged 15 to 24.
Employment was down across several industries, led by information, culture and recreation and construction.
Employment declined in Alberta and BC while it increased in Saskatchewan. The other provinces saw little change.
Average hourly wages among employees increased 3.3 per cent (to $36.16) compared to July 2024, following growth of 3.2 per cent in June.
