FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. - Northeast B.C.’s unemployment rate improved in September, even as the region saw fewer people working and labour force participation decline.
According to the latest Labour Force Survey data, the unemployment rate in Northeast B.C. fell to 5.8 per cent last month. In September of last year, the rate was 8.1 per cent.
The labour force shrank from 39,700 to 37,900 people, while the population increased slightly to 54,500.
The figures come as British Columbia recorded a monthly employment decline of 20,000 jobs in September, marking the province’s first employment decrease since March.
B.C.’s employment rate fell 0.4 percentage points to 60.5 per cent, while the unemployment rate remained relatively unchanged at 6.4 per cent.
Nationally, Canada’s labour market weakened for a second consecutive month.
Statistics Canada reported employment fell by 68,000 jobs in September, following a decline of 42,000 in August.
The country’s unemployment rate increased slightly to 6.5 per cent, while the employment rate dropped to 60.6 per cent.
The largest employment declines were among youth aged 15 to 24, who lost 48,000 jobs, and women aged 25 to 54, where employment fell by 28,000.
Employment also decreased in educational services, health care and social assistance, and manufacturing.
Despite the monthly setback, average hourly wages across Canada continued to rise, increasing 2.3 per cent compared with September 2025 to reach $37.64 per hour.