PRINCE GEORGE — Statistics Canada says the year-over-year unemployment rate in Prince George rose from 5.5% in October 2024 to 9.2% in October 2025.
The biggest job losses came in wholesale and retail trade while there were slight gains in construction.
A total of 49,600 people were working in Prince George last month compared to 53,100 in October of last year.
Provincially, the economy lost 2,900 jobs and the unemployment rate was 6.6% – the fourth lowest in the country though up from 6.4% the month before.
British Columbia Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon says many of the jobs were lost in construction and forestry – “direct results of unjustified tariffs from the U.S.”
In a statement, BC Conservative MLA Gavin Dew said “British Columbians are still waiting for a plan to grow the economy, not just manage decline.”
Nationally, Canada’s economy added 67,000 jobs in October which lowered the unemployment rate to 6.9% from 7.1%.
Statistics Canada says job growth was driven by part-time work with 85,000 positions added. The private sector added 73,000 jobs for the first time since June.
