British Columbia continues to set the pace for Canada’s labour market recovery, adding 13,000 jobs in May 2025, according to Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey released today. In a public statement, Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, emphasized the province’s commitment to economic diversification, regulatory modernization, and workforce expansion despite global economic headwinds.
- 01Minister Diana Gibson: “Now more than ever, we’re focused on protecting jobs and strengthening B.C.’s position in Canada’s new economy.”
- 02Breakdown by Sector
- 03Strategic Trade Missions to Europe and Asia
- 04Building a More Resilient, Diverse Economy
- 05Context: National vs Provincial Landscape
- 06What Industry Leaders Are Saying
- 07Looking Ahead: June and Beyond
Quick Highlights – B.C. Labour Market, May 2025
- +13,000 total jobs added month-over-month
- +67,000 full-time jobs added year-to-date (highest among provinces)
- +8,900 private-sector jobs added in May
- 183,300 private-sector jobs gained since July 2017
- +11,000 jobs added for women in May
- +1,400 youth jobs added
- Unemployment rate: 6.4% (below national average of 7.0%)
- Average hourly wage: $38.07, up 2.9% year-over-year
Minister Diana Gibson: “Now more than ever, we’re focused on protecting jobs and strengthening B.C.’s position in Canada’s new economy.”
In her statement, Minister Gibson highlighted that B.C. is not only leading job creation but also outperforming the national average in wage growth, private-sector employment, and female participation in the workforce.
Despite pressures from the U.S. economy and inflationary uncertainty, the Minister said B.C. continues to thrive through:
- Proactive policy-making
- Major investments in technology and infrastructure
- Public engagement through initiatives like the ease-of-doing-business review
Breakdown by Sector
Construction Sector
- +23,800 jobs year-over-year
- Boosted by housing initiatives, green infrastructure, and energy retrofitting programs
- Major project approvals in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- +11,100 jobs added in May alone
- Continued demand for software developers, AI researchers, legal services, and environmental consultants
- Contributes significantly to the province’s transition to a knowledge-based economy
Women Leading the Recovery
B.C. added 11,000 jobs for women in May, with a year-to-date gain of 32,900 full-time jobs for women, the highest among all provinces.
This reflects:
- Increased access to affordable childcare
- Targeted support for women entrepreneurs and trades training
- Strong job gains in education, healthcare, and administrative services
Youth Employment on the Rise
- +1,400 jobs added for youth in May
- Backed by co-op funding, student work placement programs, and tech internships
- Summer hiring boosts expected to drive further gains in June and July
Strategic Trade Missions to Europe and Asia
To support B.C.'s economic vision globally, Minister Gibson announced that she will be leading a delegation to Europe to attract investors and showcase made-in-B.C. technology. The trip follows Premier David Eby’s successful Asia-focused trade mission, reinforcing B.C.’s ambition to become:
“The engine of Canada’s new economy.”
These efforts aim to:
- Create export channels for local businesses
- Promote clean tech and agri-tech innovation
- Attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in green manufacturing and IT
Building a More Resilient, Diverse Economy
Minister Gibson reaffirmed B.C.’s approach to sustainable growth:
- Ease-of-Doing-Business Review launched this week will cut red tape
- Businesses can share input via a new online public portal open until Fall 2025
- Emphasis on helping companies scale, innovate, and hire more local workers
This policy framework is designed to:
- Increase business confidence
- Streamline project approvals
- Modernize provincial regulations
- Foster job growth in all regions, including smaller communities
Context: National vs Provincial Landscape
While B.C. posted solid job gains in May, national figures show mixed performance:
| Indicator | B.C. | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Growth (May) | +13,000 | +8,900 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 7.0% |
| Full-time Jobs (YTD) | +67,000 | Lower in other provinces |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $38.07 | ~$35.10 |
| Private Sector Jobs (YTD) | +14,700 | B.C. ranked 2nd |
What Industry Leaders Are Saying
“British Columbia continues to distinguish itself in terms of economic resilience. The job numbers in STEM and women’s employment are especially impressive.”
— Amrita Shah, VP, Canadian Council for Innovation
“This commitment to regulatory modernization and workforce development signals to global investors that B.C. is open for business.”
— Martin Velez, Economist, Pacific Trade Observatory
Looking Ahead: June and Beyond
Key economic indicators to watch:
- Inflation and interest rate decisions: Will cost-of-living concerns suppress wage gains?
- Business participation in ease-of-doing-business review: Can B.C. turn feedback into fast policy change?
- Impact of trade missions: How much FDI will B.C. attract in the next quarter?
Minister Gibson remains optimistic that strategic investments in clean tech, infrastructure, and inclusive hiring will keep British Columbia ahead of the curve as global economies face tightening conditions.
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