British Columbia shed 264,100 jobs in April. The shrinking of the workforce marks the largest month of losses since Statistics Canada started providing public labour numbers.
B.C.’s unemployment rate now sits at 11.5 per cent. From April 2019 to April 2020 the province has lost 420,900 jobs. The economic restrictions imposed to deal with the spread of COVID-19 has crippled nearly all parts of the economy.
The latest numbers come as B.C. starts to plan for an easing of restrictions and opening of the economy on May 19. The accommodation and food-service industry saw 75,700 jobs lost in April across the province.
The information, culture and recreation centre sector reported 17,400 in losses and the wholesale and retail sector accounted for