NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2008TTED0038-001354 Sept. 5, 2008	Ministry of Technology, Trade and Economic Development
JOB STATS PROVIDE REASONS FOR OPTIMISM

VICTORIA – The latest employment figures released from Statistics Canada demonstrate the resilience of B.C.’s economy, Technology, Trade and Economic Development Minister Ida Chong said today.

 

“Despite the effects of a high Canadian dollar and the U.S. downturn on some sectors – such as the forest industry – B.C. has seen steady job growth over the past year,” Chong said “In fact, B.C.’s economy has outperformed Canada’s every year since 2003 and is on track to do so again this year.”

 

According to Statistics Canada, B.C.’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell last month to 4.2 per cent from 4.3 per cent a month earlier, well below the national average of 6.1 per cent.

 

Chong noted that, between January and August, employment growth in B.C. was up by 2.6 per cent compared to the same period in 2007. B.C.'s year-to-date employment growth rate is the second highest in Canada after Alberta, which saw 2.9 per cent job growth, and above the national average of 1.8 per cent.

 

Since 2001, British Columbia employment has added more than 428,000 jobs. British Columbia’s average weekly wage is third-highest in the country at $766, and the average hourly wage is more than $21 per hour.

 

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Media contact:	Joanne Whittier Communications Manager Ministry of Technology, Trade and Economic Development 250 356-9428
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