CPABC: Cariboo employment falls amid trade challenges
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This section is Partnership Content suppliedThe content in this section is supplied by GlobeNewswire for the purposes of distributing press releases on behalf of its clients. Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire Article contentPRINCE GEORGE, British Columbia, Dec. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — According to BC Check-Up: Work, an annual report by the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) on labour market trends across the province, the unemployment rate in the Cariboo region was 8.3 per cent in November 2025, up 2.7 percentage points from one year earlier.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle content“2025 was a difficult year for workers and businesses in the region,” noted Corey Naphtali, CPA, CA, partner at KPMG Canada in Prince George. “The employment rate was among the lowest in the province in November, which historically has not been the case.”Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle contentCariboo employment fell 4.5 per cent year-over-year to 78,800 people in November 2025, due to a decline in full-time work (-5,200 workers; -7.5 per cent), while the number of people working part-time rose modestly. As a result, the employment rate fell 2.9 percentage points to 55.6 per cent.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentAccording to the latest data from the third quarter of 2025, Cariboo employers were hiring for 2,955 vacant positions, down 21.5 per cent compared with the third quarter of 2024.Article content“We’ve seen vacancies and labour force participation decline at the same time, reflecting softer labour market conditions,” continued Naphtali. “Some industries have been more resilient than others.”Article contentAs of November 2025, there were 58,000 people working in the Cariboo’s services sector, 5,700 fewer than in November 2024. Educational services (-3,700 workers; -44.6 per cent) and public administration (-1,800 workers; -35.3 per cent) accounted for the bulk of the decline, while accommodation and food services employment also trended lower.Article contentConversely, employment in the goods-sector totalled 20,800 people, rebounding slightly after a downturn in 2024. Gains were concentrated in the construction industry (+2,400; +40.0 per cent), while natural resources employment edged lower. Overall, the Cariboo’s good’s sector employed 3,900 fewer people (-15.8 per cent) than it did two year’s earlier in November 2023.Article contentArticle content“U.S. trade action has exacerbated some long-standing challenges in the forestry sector and led to layoffs, including the mill closure in 100 Mile House,” concluded Naphtali. “Because forestry is such a crucial industry for our local economy, there have also been knock-on effects on other industries.”Article contentTo learn more, visit www.bccpa.ca.Article contentAbout CPA British ColumbiaArticle contentThe Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) is the training, governing, and regulatory body for over 40,000 CPA members and 6,000 CPA candidates and students. CPABC carries out its primary mission to protect the public by enforcing the highest professional and ethical standards and contributing to the advancement of public policy.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentCPABC Media Contact: Jack Blackwell, Economist 604.259.1143 news@bccpa.caArticle contentTrending 'Why let one person in the States change your life?' For Canadian snowbirds, the stay or go dilemma gets complicated Real Estate Canada's population declines for the first time since the pandemic News Is a $2.75 million portfolio enough for Halifax empty nesters to retire early?
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Personal Finance World watches as Ottawa's bullish shift on LNG puts wind at the back of two major projects Oil & Gas Expect 'dramatically higher' oil prices in 2026, says Eric Nuttall Oil & Gas