The jobless rate in the Kootenays stood at 4.9 per cent in September, down from 5.8 per cent the previous month and six per cent a year earlier.
It was the fifth straight month where the local unemployment indicator has either dropped or held steady compared to 2025.
Statistics Canada says the population grew slightly year-over-year, but the number of people working and the number of people looking for work both dropped.
The population stood at 151,500 (up from 150,500 in September 2025), of whom 85,300 had jobs (down from 89,100), and 4,400 were seeking jobs (down from 5,700).
A chart showing the monthly rate in the Kootenays as compared to the previous year can be found below.
| Month | 2026 rate | 2025 rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5.9 | 3.8 | +2.1 |
| February | 6.4 | 4.4 | +2.0 |
| March | 7.1 | 5.7 | +1.4 |
| April | 6.5 | 6.3 | +0.2 |
| May | 5.2 | 6.7 | -1.5 |
| June | 4.6 | 6.3 | -1.7 |
| July | 5.2 | 5.9 | -0.7 |
| August | 5.8 | 5.8 | nil |
| September | 4.9 | 6 | -1.1 |
The local rate last month was lower than both the national rate of 6.5 per cent and the provincial rate of 6.4 per cent. BC was one of three provinces where employment decreased, along with Quebec and Manitoba.
Across the country, the economy shed 68,000 jobs in September compared to a month earlier, and the unemployment rate ticked up 0.1 percentage points. StatsCan says the decline was concentrated among youth 15 to 24 and women ages 25 to 54.
Fewer people were working in education, health care and social assistance, and manufacturing. More people were working in areas like repair and maintenance as well as personal or household services.
Average wages among employees rose 2.3 per cent year-over-year to $37.64 per hour.
