B.C. adds 7,800 jobs in June as unemployment rate falls to 6.5%

British Columbia's labour market added 7,800 jobs in June, while the province's unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percentage points to 6.5 per cent, according to Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey released Friday.

Statistics Canada reported that the health care sector led job growth with 8,500 new positions, followed by transportation and warehousing, which added approximately 7,300 jobs. At the same time, the accommodation and food services sector lost about 9,000 jobs, while professional, scientific and technical services shed 3,100 positions. The report also showed gains in both full-time and part-time employment during the month.

BMO Chief Economist Douglas Porter said stronger hiring had been expected in hotels, restaurants and retail due to the Club World Cup. However, he noted that British Columbia's hospitality sector did not experience the anticipated increase in employment despite overall job growth across the province.

The latest figures follow significant employment losses earlier this year, when British Columbia lost about 40,200 jobs. The province rebounded with the addition of 25,200 jobs in May, followed by another 7,800 in June, suggesting continued improvement in the labour market.