Unemployment rate down across B.C. during World Cup, up to 8% in Fraser Valley in June

CHILLIWACK — Core cities in the Fraser Valley have continued to see rising unemployment rates in June, despite slight growth in job numbers across B.C. during the FIFA World Cup in Vancouver.

Abbotsford lost roughly 1,300 jobs, while unemployment spiked from 7.8 per cent in May to 8.3 last month.

Chilliwack also lost 300 jobs and saw unemployment rise by 0.3 points to 8 per cent.

These figures are significantly higher than the average in British Columbia (6.5%) and the local year-over-year figures for 2026, with Abbotsford up 1.8 points and Chilliwack up 1.9.

The province gained around 7,800 jobs in the past month, mostly through seasonal positions.

The health care and transportation industries have experienced the highest monthly gains, with each adding approximately 8,500 (+2.4% YOY) and 7,300 jobs (+2.1% YOY), respectively, compared to May. 

Agriculture continues to see the largest annual spike (+63.6% YOY) despite losing 500 jobs in the past month.

Wholesale and retail trade is down 31,600 jobs (-7.2% YOY) from a year ago, and the accommodation and food services category decreased by 9,000 jobs (-0.2% YOY) after a hiring blitz ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

“This past month, millions of viewers and visitors focused their attention on British Columbia during the FIFA World Cup 2026, bringing significant activity for restaurants, hotels, retailers, transportation providers and tourism operators in the province,” said Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth Ravi Kahlon in a statement released Friday.

“While today’s survey captures only part of the tournament period, we expect the economic benefits of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be felt into the future.”

The Ministry added that restaurants, bars and retailers recorded sales increases of up to 40 per cent during the matches.

Local industry data is not available in the jobs report. More details are available on StatCan’s June Labour Force Survey.