Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 1,900 jobs from last month and decreased by 22,200 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment decreased by 300 jobs from last month and decreased by 1,500 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 1,500 people from the previous month and increased by 400 people compared to last year.

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 3.2 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 0.3 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 3.1 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels decreased by 2,200 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 23,700 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment decreased by 2,200 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 23,700 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

• Construction: 46,200 workers.
• Manufacturing: 23,200 workers.
• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 6,800 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, which together account for 94.8% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

• Health care and social assistance: 81,400 workers.
• Wholesale and retail trade: 58,300 workers.
• Educational services: 42,300 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 3,300 workers (decreased by 5.36%).
• Construction: Change of 1,400 workers (increased by 3.12%).
• Health care and social assistance: Change of 1,400 workers (increased by 1.75%).
• Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing: Change of 1,200 workers (decreased by 5.88%).
• Business, building and other support services: Change of 1,200 workers (decreased by 6.98%).
• Other services (except public administration): Change of 1,200 workers (decreased by 7.06%).

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 10,200 workers (decreased by 21.07%).
• Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 9,500 workers (decreased by 14.01%).
• Accommodation and food services: Change of 5,800 workers (decreased by 17.06%).
• Health care and social assistance: Change of 4,700 workers (decreased by 5.46%).
• Business, building and other support services: Change of 3,500 workers (decreased by 17.95%).
• Manufacturing: Change of 3,500 workers (increased by 17.77%).

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 April 2026 was 225,840, showing a modest decrease of 4,600 from the previous month. Relative to April last year, employment levels showed a decline of 6,480, showing weakness.

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 59.3% in April 2026. This represents a decline of 1.2 percentage points from March (60.5%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 1.8 percentage points from 61.1%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 4.5% in April 2026, down 0.6 percentage points from March. Compared to April last year (4.0%), the rate has increased by 0.5 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The strong correlation (0.81) 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 (0.79) 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 0.63 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.