British Columbia, July 2026 - Job market snapshot

Get a snapshot of key facts about the state of British Columbia's labour market in the past month.

Employment in British Columbia rose by 17,800 (+0.6%) in July, the third consecutive month of growth. Gains were led by the construction industry (7,000 or +2.6%), and the professional, scientific and technical services industry (5,300 or +1.7%). There were employment losses in the other services industry (4,400 or -3.6%) and in the public administration industry (2,700 or -1.7%). The unemployment rate in British Columbia (6.2%) was down for the second consecutive month in July from a recent high of 6.8% in May 2026.

British Columbia's job market by the numbers

Working population

2,954,700

Up 0.6% since June

Unemployment rate

6.2%

Down -0.3 pts since June

Source: Statistics Canada - Table 14-10-0287-01 - Labour force characteristics, monthly, seasonally adjusted and trend-cycle, last 5 months

Industries in focus

Construction

Number of jobs increased 2.6%

June268,300

July275,300

In the construction sector, employment grew by 7,000 (2.6%), the most of any sector on a percentage and absolute basis. In July, the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia signed the Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement. The agreement is meant to accelerate the construction of several major projects, including the Red Chris Mine Expansion, North Coast Transmission Line and the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project.

Professional, scientific and technical services

Number of jobs increased 1.7%

June307,900

July313,200

In the professional, scientific and technical services industry employment grew by 5,300 (1.7%), the most of the services-producing sectors. The Canada Infrastructure Bank and Telus have partnered to launch a $400M high-speed internet service expansion project to provide service to more than 17,000 underserved households in rural areas.

Public administration

Number of jobs decreased -1.7%

June161,200

July158,500

In the public administration sector employment fell by 2,700 (-1.7%). The Government of British Columbia announced that it is providing $3.5M to support 110 emergency operations centre projects across 138 communities in the province. The funds support training, supply purchases and facility upgrades that will improve operations in the event of a disaster.

Source: Statistics Canada - Table 14-10-0355-02 - Employment by industry, monthly, seasonally adjusted (x 1,000)

Unemployment rate by region

Cariboo
6.3%
Kootenay
5.2%
Lower Mainland–Southwest
6.6%
North Coast and Nechako
6.8%
Northeast
7.4%
Thompson–Okanagan
7.5%
Vancouver Island and Coast
5.9%

The unemployment rate was lowest in Kootenay and highest in Thompson–Okanagan.

Source: Labour Market Indicators: By province, territory and economic region, unadjusted for seasonality

A closer look at some regions

Lower Mainland–Southwest

1,938,600 people employed

Down -0.5% since July 2025

In the Lower Mainland–Southwest region, employment fell by 9,300 (-0.5%) year-over-year and has declined annually every month since February. The Government of Canada is working on several large projects in the City of Surrey, including providing $8M of Regional Tariff Response Initiative funding to several Surrey businesses to help them boost productivity through advanced technology and create jobs. The federal government will also provide up to $26M to support water and wastewater infrastructure in Surrey through the Build Communities Strong Fund. What else is happening in this region?

Vancouver Island and Coast

455,500 people employed

Down -4.6% since July 2025

In the Vancouver Island and Coast region employment fell by 21,900 (-4.6%) year-over-year. The region continues to host substantial maritime industries and has benefitted from increased federal and provincial government spending, such as a nearly $75M contract to build RCMP patrol vessels at the Ocean Pacific Marine Boatyard, located in Campbell River. Additionally, Rising Tide Boat Works has begun construction on a marine electrification hub in Ucluelet. What else is happening in this region?

Cariboo

89,400 people employed

Up 14.9% since July 2025

In the Cariboo region employment rose by 11,600 (14.9%) year-over-year, the largest increase in the province on a percentage and absolute basis. The Government of British Columbia has issued an environmental assessment certificate for the Angus silica sand mine at Bear Lake north of Prince George. The $300M project will create 150 jobs during construction. What else is happening in this region?

Last data refresh: 2026-08-13

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