Vancouver Island and Coast Economic Region
Workforce Insights
May, 2026
Key Insights
Employment
increased by 800 jobs
from the previous month and
decreased by 15,800 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
Full-time Employment
increased by 600 jobs
from the previous month and
decreased by 12,800 jobs
year-over-year.
Part-time Employment
increased by 300 jobs
from the previous month and
decreased by 3,000 jobs
year-over-year.
Unemployment
increased by 800 people
from the previous month and
increased by 2,000 people
compared to the same month last year.
Workforce Composition by Status
In the most recent month,
Full-time Employment
increased by 600 jobs
from last month and
decreased by 12,800 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
Part-time Employment
increased by 300 jobs
from last month and
decreased by 3,000 jobs
year-over-year.
The number of
Unemployed
individuals
increased by 800 people
from the previous month and
increased by 2,000 people
compared to last year.
Scroll down to explore the data
Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate
The
Employment Rate
decreased by 2.2 percentage points
from a year ago.
The
Unemployment Rate
increased by 0.6 percentage points
from a year ago.
The
Participation Rate
decreased by 2 percentage points
year-over-year.
Jobs Added or Lost by Month
Employment levels
increased by 800 jobs
from the previous month and
decreased by 15,800 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
In the most recent month, employment
increased by 800 jobs.
Over the last year, the labor market has
decreased by 15,800 jobs.
Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector
Construction:
44,800
workers.
Manufacturing:
23,200
workers.
Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas:
6,100
workers.
The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, which together account for 93.2% of the sector's workforce.
Top 3 Industries in Services Sector
Health care and social assistance:
80,000
workers.
Wholesale and retail trade:
61,600
workers.
Educational services:
41,800
workers.
In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services lead employment, representing 48.7% of the sector's workforce.
Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month
Wholesale and retail trade:
Change of
4,500
workers
(decreased by 6.81%).
Construction:
Change of
3,300
workers
(increased by 7.95%).
Manufacturing:
Change of
2,400
workers
(increased by 11.54%).
Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing:
Change of
2,100
workers
(decreased by 9.33%).
Information, culture and recreation:
Change of
1,600
workers
(increased by 9.52%).
These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.
Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year
Public administration:
Change of
7,300
workers
(decreased by 15.9%).
Wholesale and retail trade:
Change of
6,600
workers
(decreased by 9.68%).
Accommodation and food services:
Change of
6,500
workers
(decreased by 19.23%).
Health care and social assistance:
Change of
6,200
workers
(decreased by 7.19%).
Other services (except public administration):
Change of
3,700
workers
(increased by 27.82%).
The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.
Conclusion
Employment has seen a decline over the year, highlighting some challenges in the job market.
Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance, Public administration.
Local Workforce Insights
March, 2026
Updated monthly, local monthly workforce trends focus on total employment,
and employment and unemployment rates estimates at SLA level
Formed by one or more Census Subdivisions (CSDs), an SLA can be described as a territorial unit where most of the residents with jobs are working in the area and most of the jobs in the area are filled by workers residing in the area.
Victoria
SLA consists of the following communities:
Central Saanich, Colwood, Esquimalt, Highlands, Juan de Fuca (Part 1), Langford, Metchosin, North Saanich, Oak Bay, Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, Victoria, View Royal.
Key Local Labour Market Insights
Total local employment stands at 230,440 in March 2026, it fell by 2,940 jobs from February and showed a decline of 820 jobs year-over-year.
The local employment rate registered 60.5%. It decreased by 0.8 percentage points
from February and declined by 0.3 percentage points from same month last year.
Local unemployment rate registered 5.1%. It went down by 0.1 percentage points month-over-month, and grew by 1.0 percentage points year-over-year.
Employment Trends
Total employment in March 2026 was 230,440, showing a measured decrease of 2,940 from the previous month. From March last year, employment levels dropped by 820, showing weakness.
Scroll down to explore more data
Employment Rate Dynamics
The employment rate reached 60.5% in March 2026. This represents a decline of 0.8 percentage points from February (61.3%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 0.3 percentage points from 60.8%.
Unemployment Rate Trends
The unemployment rate was 5.1% in March 2026, down 0.1 percentage points from February. Compared to March last year (4.1%), the rate has increased by 1.0 percentage points.
Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns
The strong correlation (0.73) between regional and local employment levels indicates very similar employment patterns at both geographic levels. This suggests that local employment closely follows regional trends.
Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns
Employment rates show a strong correlation (0.72) between regional and local levels. This indicates strong alignment in workforce participation, suggesting that labor market conditions affect both areas similarly.
Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns
The unemployment rate correlation of 0.70 shows a moderate relationship. This suggests some common unemployment drivers, indicating that there is partial alignment in labor market stress.
Victoria
SLA consists of the following communities:
Central Saanich, Colwood, Esquimalt, Highlands, Juan de Fuca (Part 1), Langford, Metchosin, North Saanich, Oak Bay, Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, Victoria, View Royal.
Monthly Local Workforce Trends
March, 2026
Updated monthly, local monthly workforce trends focus on total employment,
and employment and unemployment rates estimates at SLA level
Formed by one or more Census Subdivisions (CSDs), an SLA can be described as a territorial unit where most of the residents with jobs are working in the area and most of the jobs in the area are filled by workers residing in the area.
Victoria
SLA consists of the following communities:
Central Saanich, Colwood, Esquimalt, Highlands, Juan de Fuca (Part 1), Langford, Metchosin, North Saanich, Oak Bay, Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, Victoria, View Royal.
Scroll down to explore the data
Local area
Employment Trends
Total employment in March 2026 was 230,440, showing a measured decrease of 2,940 from the previous month. From March last year, employment levels dropped by 820, showing weakness.
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Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Local area
Employment Rate Dynamics
The employment rate reached 60.5% in March 2026. This represents a decline of 0.8 percentage points from February (61.3%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 0.3 percentage points from 60.8%.
Unemployment Rate Trends
The unemployment rate was 5.1% in March 2026, down 0.1 percentage points from February. Compared to March last year (4.1%), the rate has increased by 1.0 percentage points.
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Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Local area
Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns
Employment rates show a strong correlation (0.72) between regional and local levels. This indicates strong alignment in workforce participation, suggesting that labor market conditions affect both areas similarly.
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Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Local area
Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns
The unemployment rate correlation of 0.70 shows a moderate relationship. This suggests some common unemployment drivers, indicating that there is partial alignment in labor market stress.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Economic region
Workforce Composition by Status
In the most recent month,
Full-time Employment
increased by 600 jobs
from last month and
decreased by 12,800 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
Part-time Employment
increased by 300 jobs
from last month and
decreased by 3,000 jobs
year-over-year.
The number of
Unemployed
individuals
increased by 800 people
from the previous month and
increased by 2,000 people
compared to last year.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Economic region
Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate
The
Employment Rate
decreased by 2.2 percentage points
from a year ago.
The
Unemployment Rate
increased by 0.6 percentage points
from a year ago.
The
Participation Rate
decreased by 2 percentage points
year-over-year.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Economic region
Jobs Added or Lost by Month
Employment levels
increased by 800 jobs
from the previous month and
decreased by 15,800 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
In the most recent month, employment
increased by 800 jobs.
Over the last year, the labor market has
decreased by 15,800 jobs.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Economic region
Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector
Construction:
44,800
workers.
Manufacturing:
23,200
workers.
Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas:
6,100
workers.
The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, which together account for 93.2% of the sector's workforce.
Top 3 Industries in Services Sector
Health care and social assistance:
80,000
workers.
Wholesale and retail trade:
61,600
workers.
Educational services:
41,800
workers.
In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services lead employment, representing 48.7% of the sector's workforce.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Economic region
Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month
Wholesale and retail trade:
Change of
4,500
workers
(decreased by 6.81%).
Construction:
Change of
3,300
workers
(increased by 7.95%).
Manufacturing:
Change of
2,400
workers
(increased by 11.54%).
Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing:
Change of
2,100
workers
(decreased by 9.33%).
Information, culture and recreation:
Change of
1,600
workers
(increased by 9.52%).
These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Economic region
Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year
Public administration:
Change of
7,300
workers
(decreased by 15.9%).
Wholesale and retail trade:
Change of
6,600
workers
(decreased by 9.68%).
Accommodation and food services:
Change of
6,500
workers
(decreased by 19.23%).
Health care and social assistance:
Change of
6,200
workers
(decreased by 7.19%).
Other services (except public administration):
Change of
3,700
workers
(increased by 27.82%).
The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Economic region
Conclusion
Employment has seen a decline over the year, highlighting some challenges in the job market.
Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance, Public administration.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Employment rate Provincial Comparison
Among 84 small areas in British Columbia, Victoria ranks 12th with an employment rate of 60.5%. The provincial range is 39.4% to 67.5%, with half of areas between 50.3% and 58.6% (median: 54.3%).
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Unemployment rate Provincial Comparison
Among 84 small areas in British Columbia, Victoria ranks 1st with an unemployment rate of 5.1%. The provincial range is 5.1% to 18.1%, with half of areas between 6.7% and 9.3% (median: 7.6%).
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Vancouver Island and Coast Economic region — Labour Market Outlook
Total Job Openings
Most Job Openings
Job openings and employment by occupation and industry for the period 2025-2035
Forecasted number of new job openings in the period 2025-2035
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Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information
Forecasted employment in the period 2025-2035
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Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information
High-opportunity occupations
High opportunity occupations by NOC based on forecasted number of job openings in the period 2025-2035
Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information
BC workforce supply composition for the period 2025-2035
Forecasted number of new job market entrants in the period 2025-2035
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Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information
These job openings provide a forecast for the demand for labour
with the associated education background. This is a demand projection only
and is not a measure of how many graduates the B.C. education system needs to produce.
These job openings are projected to be supplied through a mix of young
B.C. residents starting work after being educated either in B.C. or
other jurisdictions, immigrants, migrants from other provinces,
or existing residents pursuing additional education.
Planners should take these other possible sources of supply into account
when using these projections for post-secondary program planning purposes.
Recruitment and Retention
Remote Work as Incentive
Anticipated to work remotely
Recruitment, Retention and Training Plans
Recruitment, Retention and Training Plans
Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months
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Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (geography)
Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as
for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months
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Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (organization size)
Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as
for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months
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Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (organization type)
Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as
for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months
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Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by business size
Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)
Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by organization type
Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)
Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by geography
Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)
Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Anticipated Work Arrangement in the Next Three Months
Anticipated Work Arrangement in the Next Three Months
Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023
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Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (geography)
Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months
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Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (organization size)
Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months
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Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (organization type)
Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months
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Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Anticipated work arrangement - by business size
Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023
Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Anticipated work arrangement - by organization type
Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023
Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Anticipated work arrangement - by geography
Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023
Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions