Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment increased by 300 jobs from last month and decreased by 7,300 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment decreased by 100 jobs from last month and decreased by 6,400 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals increased by 800 people from the previous month and increased by 4,000 people compared to last year.

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 1.9 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 0.9 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 1.4 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels increased by 200 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 13,600 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment increased by 200 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 13,600 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

• Construction: 41,500 workers.
• Manufacturing: 20,800 workers.
• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 5,600 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, which together account for 91% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

• Health care and social assistance: 79,200 workers.
• Wholesale and retail trade: 66,100 workers.
• Educational services: 41,100 workers.

In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services lead employment, representing 48.9% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

• Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 3,200 workers (decreased by 4.62%).
• Manufacturing: Change of 2,600 workers (increased by 14.29%).
• Professional, scientific and technical services: Change of 2,100 workers (increased by 6.18%).
• Construction: Change of 1,800 workers (increased by 4.53%).
• Public administration: Change of 1,300 workers (decreased by 3.2%).

These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

• Accommodation and food services: Change of 6,900 workers (decreased by 20.23%).
• Health care and social assistance: Change of 5,900 workers (decreased by 6.93%).
• Public administration: Change of 5,500 workers (decreased by 12.28%).
• Agriculture: Change of 3,700 workers (increased by Inf%).
• Other services (except public administration): Change of 3,700 workers (increased by 26.81%).

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.

Employment Trends

Total employment in February 2026 was 233,380, showing a measured increase of 2,240 from the previous month. From February last year, employment levels rose by 3,180, maintaining momentum.

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 61.3% in February 2026. This represents a rise of 0.6 percentage points from January (60.7%). Year-over-year, the rate improved by 0.7 percentage points from 60.6%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 5.2% in February 2026, up 0.3 percentage points from January. Compared to February last year (2.9%), the rate has increased by 2.3 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The moderate correlation (0.62) between regional and local employment levels indicates some alignment in employment trends. This suggests that local employment partially reflects regional patterns.

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a moderate correlation (0.59) between regional and local levels. This shows moderate similarity in workforce engagement, suggesting that there are some shared labor market influences.

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of 0.71 shows a strong relationship. This reveals synchronized unemployment patterns, indicating that economic challenges affect both geographic levels similarly.

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.