CPABC: Kootenay labour market shows cracks as unemployment rises

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 contentCRANBROOK, 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 Kootenays was 6.8 per cent in November 2025, nearly double the November 2024 rate of 3.6 per cent.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle content“The unemployment rate increased from uncharacteristically low levels since this time last year,” said Mike Calder, CPA, CA, partner at MNP Canada. “There tends to be a fair amount of volatility in the monthly estimates, but employment did trend lower as well.”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 contentThere were 82,000 Kootenay residents working in November 2025, slightly fewer than there were one year earlier. Full-time employment fell by 13.1 per cent or 9,200 workers year-over-year, which was partially offset by an increase in part-time work (+4,600 workers; +28.2 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 content“It is safe to say that local labour market conditions are softer, in line with the ongoing trade disruptions and general uncertainty,” continued Calder. “Employment losses were spread across the Kootenay economy, but there were some pockets that held up.”Article contentEmployment in the Kootenay’s goods sector trended lower as the workforce contracted in both the natural resources (-4,200 workers; -45.7 per cent) and manufacturing (-2,300 workers; -31.1 per cent) industries. Meanwhile, construction employment held steady in 2025, following a significant expansion in 2024.Article contentServices sector employment also edged lower with wholesale and retail trade (-2,400 workers; -17.0 per cent) and educational services (-1,500 workers; -23.8 per cent) posting the largest year-over-year declines. Conversely, employment in the accommodation and food services industry rebounded, as it added 5,200 workers (+144.4 per cent) between November 2024 and November 2025.Article contentArticle content“We’ve seen employment take a hit in industries that had meaningful exposure to the U.S. market,” concluded Calder. “There needs to be a focus on supporting affected industries and workers as businesses try to navigate this transitional period.”Article contentTo learn more, see 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 Team news@bccpa.ca Article contentTrending Is a $2.75 million portfolio enough for Halifax empty nesters to retire early?

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Personal Finance Canada's population declines for the first time since the pandemic News 'Why let one person in the States change your life?' For Canadian snowbirds, the stay or go dilemma gets complicated Real Estate Expect 'dramatically higher' oil prices in 2026, says Eric Nuttall Oil & Gas World watches as Ottawa's bullish shift on LNG puts wind at the back of two major projects Oil & Gas