B.C.’s unemployment rate edged up to 7.0% in March from 6.9% the previous month, according to just-released figures from Statistics Canada.
Nationally, the unemployment rate dropped 0.2 percentage points to 7.2% in March. Employment increased in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba, while declining in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Nationally, the employment gains were spread across several industries, including health care and social assistance; information, culture and recreation; and public administration. There was a decline in employment in educational services.
Last month, B.C. Premier Christy Clark said the creation of 39,900 new B.C. jobs in 2011 and the associated drop in unemployment to 6.9% from 8.7% is proof that the B.C. Jobs Plan has been successful.
