B.C. added 16,000 new jobs in July as a large decline in the number of full-time jobs across Canada offset increases in the number of part-time jobs gained nationally, according to Statistics Canada.
Employment in B.C. has grown by 3%, or 67,000 jobs, since July 2009 and resulted in the province having one of the fastest growing labour forces in Canada. New jobs helped push the province’s unemployment rate down to 7.5%.
While Alberta and British Columbia posted increases last month, Quebec reported employment losses.
Employment increased in Alberta for the fourth consecutive month, up 9,000 jobs in July, it decreased by 21,000 jobs in Quebec, the first notable decline in that province in 12 months, according to StatsCan.
Since July 2009, employment in Quebec had risen by 2.5% or 96,000 jobs. The national average is 2.3%.
Employment rates changed little in other provinces.