B.C. adds jobs in November as province faces pressure from U.S. tariffs, new labour data shows

British Columbia recorded a modest increase in employment last month as new federal labour data pointed to steady economic conditions despite ongoing uncertainty in sectors such as forestry. The provincial government highlighted the gains on Friday after Statistics Canada released its Labour Force Survey for November.

According to the survey, B.C. added 6,200 jobs in November and has gained more than 40,000 positions over the past year, led by manufacturing and construction. The province’s unemployment rate edged down to 6.4 percent, slightly below the national rate of 6.5 percent. Statistics Canada also reported notable increases in women’s full-time employment and youth employment in B.C., areas where the province outperformed most regions of the country.

The provincial government linked the latest employment trends to efforts aimed at strengthening the economy in the face of global pressures, including U.S. tariffs affecting B.C.’s forestry industry. Earlier this fall, the province introduced its Look West jobs plan, a long-term strategy focused on diversifying key industries, accelerating permitting processes and reducing reliance on the U.S. market.

Officials pointed to large-scale infrastructure initiatives, such as the North Coast Transmission Line, as examples of projects expected to support employment growth. The government says the project is expected to create thousands of jobs and contribute to Canada’s broader list of major national infrastructure priorities.

Labour analysts note that B.C.’s performance in recent months reflects both the resilience of its workforce and the challenges that global market conditions continue to pose, particularly for export-reliant industries. The province continues to report one of the highest average hourly wages in Canada, contributing to its overall economic competitiveness.