B. C.’ s jobless rate remains steady

British Columbia’s economy shed a few thousand jobs in April, but it wasn’t hit as hard as the overall Canadian economy, which unexpectedly lost 28,900 jobs in April, suff ering its biggest employment drop since December 2013. B. C. lost 3,700 jobs, mostly full- time positions, according to April’s Labour Force Survey. The province’s unemployment rate, however, remained unchanged at 5.8 per cent. The federal agency described B. C.’ s economy in April as “stable” with some declines in construction, fi nance, insurance and real estate, professional and scientifi c services and accommodation and food services. The declines were off set by some part- time jobs added in business, building and other support services, health care and social assistance and various other sectors like cleaning, repairs and maintenance. Statistics Canada found the national unemployment rate remained at 6.9 per cent for the second straight month, suggesting that some Canadians had given up looking for work.