BC reaches pre-pandemic employment levels

However, some local businesses in the hospitality sector are still struggling to find staff. Troy McKenzie, the owner of the Twisted Cork and the Black Clover, says the fact that, when his restaurants closed, some of his staff found work elsewhere.

“We had people that had to find other jobs during this time and it’s tough to get them back once they get into a new routine. It seems like that main labour force for hospitality is struggling to get people back.”

And that means he is often training very green people, which can also be challenging.

But the Opposition is painting a very different picture of the numbers. One that isn’t nearly a rosy.

“The NDP has failed to build on B.C.’s recovery momentum, with no long-term plan to participate in the growth opportunity,” said Todd Stone. “One month into the third stage of reopening, not only has B.C. lost jobs, but multiple industries are experiencing a worker shortage. What’s clear is the province can’t keep relying on part-time jobs and the public sector, as people need full-time jobs in a thriving private sector.”

He says the devil is in the details and if you combine the 6.6% and the percentage of people who “have given up looking,” that rate is closer to 10%.

by Cheryl Jahn

BC reaches pre-pandemic employment levels

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