The unemployment rate in the Abbotsford-Mission CMA rose, month-over-month from 5.8 percent in November to 6.0 percent in December bucking  both the national and provincial trends.

Compared to December 2013 the rate dropped from 7.7 percent in 2013 but the participation rate also dropped from 68.4 to 64.4.

The local rise diverts from the national trend for December. Even at 5.8 percent, one of the lowest rates since the 2008 economic crash, Abbotsford-Mission is back to its traditional spot boasting the highest unemployment rate in Western Canada.

Other Western Canadian cities average between three and six percent Vancouver, for the first time in months, coming in with a higher unemployment rate than Abbotsford at 6.1. percent.

Western Canadian Cities

Abbotsford 6.0
Vancouver 5.5
Victoria 4.8
Kelowna 4.4
Edmonton 4.5
Calgary 4.4
Regina 2.9
Saskatoon 3.4
Winnipeg 5.1

For the Statscan table simply click here.

For a closer, more in-depth look at the Vancouver Region click here.

For a closer look at the Abbotsford unemployment situation click here.

The National Picture

Employment in December was virtually unchanged (-4,300), as gains in full-time work were offset by losses in part time. The unemployment rate remained at 6.6%.

Employment gains in 2014 amounted to 186,000 (+1.0%), with increases in the second half of the year accounting for most of the growth. Compared with 12 months earlier, the total number of hours worked increased by 0.7%.

A year-end look at the 2014 data will be published in The Daily, along with the revised historical estimates, on January 28, 2015. See the note to readers for more details.

In December, employment declined among women aged 25 to 54 and increased among men in this age group.

Employment declined in Prince Edward Island and was little changed in the other provinces.

There were fewer people working in accommodation and food services as well as ‘other services’ in December. At the same time, employment increased in agriculture, public administration and natural resources.

Full-time employment rose by 54,000 in December, while there was a decline of 58,000 in part time.

Employment declines among women aged 25 to 54

There were 24,000 fewer women aged 25 to 54 employed in December. Their unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.2%, as fewer of them participated in the labour market.

Employment among men aged 25 to 54 increased by 23,000 in December and their unemployment rate declined 0.2 percentage points to 5.5%, their lowest rate since 2008.

There was little employment change among the other demographic groups in December.

Employment in most provinces holds steady

In December, employment in Prince Edward Island declined by 1,000. The unemployment rate for the province was little changed at 11.0%, as fewer people participated in the labour market.

In British Columbia, employment was virtually unchanged in December. However, as fewer people searched for work, the unemployment rate fell 0.4 percentage points to 5.4%—the lowest in the province since 2008.

Employment in New Brunswick was little changed in December. At the same time, the unemployment rate increased 0.6 percentage points to 10.2%, as more people looked for work.

Employment in the remaining provinces was little changed between November and December.

Industry perspective

Employment fell by 33,000 in accommodation and food services in December.

In December, employment fell by 14,000 in ‘other services,’ such as private household services provided by nannies and home support workers.

Employment in agriculture rose by 15,000 in December, mostly in greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production.

Employment increased by 14,000 in public administration, mainly in provincial as well as municipal public administration.

In December, the number of people working in natural resources increased by 10,000.

The number of self-employed people, as well as private and public sector employees was virtually unchanged in December.

Quarterly update for the territories

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) also collects labour market information about the territories. This information is produced monthly in the form of three-month moving averages. The following data are not seasonally adjusted; therefore, comparisons should only be made on a year-over-year basis.

From the fourth quarter of 2013 to the fourth quarter of 2014, employment in Yukon was little changed and the unemployment rate was also little changed at 4.5%.

Employment in the Northwest Territories declined by 1,200 (-5.4%) in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared with the same period a year earlier. At the same time, the unemployment rate was little changed at 7.4%.

In Nunavut, employment was little changed over this period and the unemployment rate declined 2.3 percentage points to 12.3%.