Statistics Canada said British Columbia reversed some of its job losses from early this year, adding 25,200 jobs in May.
The latest Labour Force Survey said the gains partially offset the cumulative loss of 39,000 positions in February and March.
B.C.’s unemployment rate was unchanged last month at 6.8 per cent.
Canada added a total of 88,000 jobs in May, while the national unemployment rate fell by 0.3 points to 6.6 per cent.
B.C.’s gains included 33,600 full-time jobs.
“As new and escalating tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump, combined with the ongoing war in Iran, continue to raise costs and create uncertainty for people and economies around the world, British Columbia is building a stronger, more resilient economy,” said B.C. Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon in a statement about the May numbers.
He highlighted the 14,800 private sector jobs added in May.
Kahlon said the province has seen three months of increases in construction and manufacturing, for a total of 19,000 jobs over that time period.
“This reflects the record levels of rental housing construction seen in B.C., with 2025 rental housing starts triple what they were in 2015,” said Kahlon.
He also noted B.C. added 5,700 new accommodation and food-services jobs in May, as the province gears up for what is expected to be a busy summer tourism season.
“By hosting major global events like FIFA World Cup 2026 and Web Summit Vancouver, B.C. is creating new opportunities for businesses, boosting tourism, attracting investment and supporting jobs throughout the province,” he said.
Meanwhile, B.C. lost about 4,600 jobs in the sector that includes business, building and other support services, and 3,600 positions in the finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing sector.
Job losses were also felt in natural resources, utilities, wholesale and retail trade, and professional, scientific and technical services.
B.C. added 7,200 jobs for youth aged 15 to 24. However, the youth unemployment rate rose 0.9 points to 15.3, backtracking on a decline to 14.4 per cent in April.
B.C. Conservative jobs critic Gavin Dew said B.C. is facing a youth jobs crisis.
“You see it in the stats and you hear it from youth and their worried parents,” said Dew. “I’m getting more calls than ever from people desperately looking for summer jobs for their kids.”
He noted B.C.’s population continues to decline, including about 7,300 youth over the past year.
“Holding the unemployment rate steady by losing population isn’t something any government should be proud of,” he said.
The province has said B.C.’s recent population declines are primarily driven by reduced levels of international migration, including fewer international students and foreign workers.
