YOUR PERSPECTIVE: April labour force survey shows B.C.’s resilience

B.C. is a great place to live, but the last few years haven’t been easy. Global instability finds ways of showing up and seeping into our local businesses and neighbourhoods. While conflict in Iran and the tariffs imposed by the United States sometimes feel abstract and far from home, they are having a profound effect in terms of shaping the financial reality for families, businesses, and entire sectors of our economy.

Yet the recent Labour Force Survey for April shows that even in the face of global headwinds, B.C.’s economy continues to demonstrate resilience and momentum.

Part of that resilience comes from the sheer scale of economic activity underway here. Right now, B.C. has roughly $88 billion in major projects either planned or under construction, which are expected to create tens of thousands of jobs over the next three years, providing a strong foundation for employment and investment at a time when many regions are struggling to maintain growth.

To ensure British Columbians can step into those opportunities, our government recently announced a $241 million investment through the Look West strategy to expand skilled‑trades training which will create as many as 5,000 new training seats starting this year. Having spent nearly 30 years working in the School of Trades and Technology at Camosun College, I am confident that this investment will also help to reduce waitlists for high‑demand programs and better connect training with employer needs, helping people get onto job sites sooner and ensuring major projects have the workforce they require.

This strong foundation is reflected in broader economic indicators as well. Statistics Canada’s recent update to provincial GDP figures shows that B.C. has led all large provinces in economic growth since 2017 – by a wide margin. We’re also seeing rising exports to key markets such as China and Europe, particularly in energy, critical minerals, and seafood. In a world where supply chains are shifting and countries are competing for reliable trading partners, B.C.’s diversified export base is proving to be a strategic advantage.

The April Labour Force Survey shows that we’re making the right choices here in B.C. While several provinces saw job losses last month, B.C.’s construction and manufacturing sectors continued to expand, adding nearly 12,000 jobs over the past two months. Not only do jobs in these sectors represent family supporting incomes in the short term, they also tend to be early indicators of economic confidence, and their growth suggests that businesses are still investing, hiring, and planning for a future right here in B.C.

Youth employment is another place where I am hopeful. In April, B.C. recorded the highest monthly increase in youth employment among all provinces, with 4,000 more young people finding work. At a time when many young Canadians are struggling to enter the labour market, this is an encouraging sign of emerging opportunity and mobility.

This momentum aligns with Look West – helping businesses grow, expand into international markets, and create more good jobs across communities. By working closely with employers and industry, Look West aims to position B.C. as a hub for innovation, investment, and global trade. The new trades‑training investment is a core part of that approach, ensuring that as major projects accelerate, British Columbians are first in line for the well-paying, family‑supporting jobs they generate.

Since 2017, beyond having the highest GDP growth among large provinces, B.C. also has the highest per‑capita growth in capital investment, the highest real median income growth, highest number of active businesses since 2001, and the highest wage growth in Canada. We’ve also maintained the fourth‑lowest unemployment rate, we’ve seen the fastest retail sales growth last year, and we continue to offer one of the most competitive small‑business tax environments in the country. From December 2024 to December 2025, B.C. recorded the second‑highest growth in active businesses nationwide.

Taken together, these indicators are clear: global uncertainty is real, but so is B.C.’s economic strength. The April Labour Force Survey is another reminder that even in turbulent times, the province is charting a steady and confident path forward.