Employment numbers are out today and BC’s unemployment rate dropped a little because….
…over the last month lots of working age people dropped out of the employment market (the participation rate dropped significantly). BC now has the lowest participation rate west of New Brunswick, making us an honorary maritime province when it comes to employment.
If BC’s participation rate matched that of average provinces like Quebec or PEI, BC’s unemployment rate would be closer to 8.5%, almost the worst in the country. The only reason our rate looks average at best is because too many working age people have dropped out of the economy.
But as Roseanne Roseannadanna used to say “nevermind”.
There’s more “good news”: BC dropped another two places in the jobs created sweepstakes. Canada apparently doesn’t really start here. It starts in Alberta, swings through Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, hops over to Newfoundland and PEI before heading back to BC.
That’s right, BC is number 8 in job creation over the last year.
Eighth out of ten when it comes to job creation last year. Not first, eighth. Those Liberal ads? Not really very true.
We’re number 8, we’re number 8. Canada Starts There.
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And a bit of a rumour to start the new year off and celebrate the resumption of my blog.
I have a friend who filled out an on-line Angus Reid survey early last month. The survey was the regular one about BC politics – vote today, leader ratings… etc…
But no report came out, which raises the question Why?
Could it be because the results showed the BC NDP at 50%, the BC Liberals at 27%, the Greens up slightly and the BCCP down? At least that’s what I hear.
Thanks for doing this.
I would love to know how many people have moved out of BC to get work elsewhere.
I guess I’ll just wait until the Sun or Province publishes the real news before I get excited. I think I just saw something on TV that said we were number 1! I guess, if you count backward.
Mr. Reid…Ah, very astute as per usual, you would be correct on the polling issue..
Something very fishy going on, very similar to the skewed polling in Alberta`s last provincial election…Some call it gremlins, some call it internet hacking, others call it greasing the palm..
I call it…”Paying for a result”
Here is a link to Statistics Canada province by province December jobs numbers.
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/130104/t130104a003-eng.htm
Have a very good day Mr. Reid
I think Angus Reid cherrypicks their panelists. As a member who has gone out of her way on several occasions to request political participation, I get way less invitations then my son, who is a much different demographic, financially and politically.
What about the mining jobs the Chinese sued BC for? There are 200 Chinese here, working those mines. Were those job gains for BC? Or, are those job losses for BC? The seven new mines going into BC? Some are U.S. owned. Some are owned by China. Who gets those jobs? How will those jobs be counted?
Ian,
I am delighted that you will resume your blog full force. May your health do nothing but improve; BC needs you strong.