The unemployment rate in the Abbotsford-Mission CMA dropped, month-over-month from 6.1 percent in September to 5.8 percent in November along with both the national and provincial trends.

Compared to November 2013 the rate dropped in Novemberr from 7.1 percent in 2013 but the participation rate also dropped from 69.1 to 64.4.

The local drop follows the national trend for November. Even at 5.8 percent, one of the lowest rates since the 2008 economic crash, Abbotsford-Mission still boasts the 2^nd 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 5.8
Vancouver 6.0
Victoria 4.7
Kelowna 5.2
Edmonton 4.9
Calgary 4.1
Regina 2.9
Saskatoon 3.1
Winnipeg 5.3

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

Following two months of notable gains, employment was little changed in November. The unemployment rate increased 0.1 percentage points to 6.6%.

Compared with November 2013, employment increased by 146,000 (+0.8%), with part-time and full-time work up 1.9% and 0.6% respectively. Over the same period, the total number of hours worked was little changed (+0.1%).

In the six months to November, employment grew by an average of 21,300 per month, compared with an average of 3,000 per month for December 2013 to May 2014.

Provincially, employment declined in Ontario and Saskatchewan, while it increased in Quebec as well as Newfoundland and Labrador.

Fewer men aged 55 and over were employed in November, while there was little change for men and women in the other major age groups.

Employment decreased in retail and wholesale trade as well as professional, scientific and technical services. At the same time, there were more people employed in natural resources and agriculture.

In November, the number of private sector employees declined, while the number of public sector and self-employed workers edged up.

Employment declines in Ontario and increases in Quebec

Following two months of increases, employment in Ontario declined by 34,000 in November. This decline pushed the unemployment rate in the province up 0.5 percentage points to 7.0%. Compared with 12 months earlier, employment in Ontario rose by 53,000 (+0.8%).

In November, employment decreased by 3,900 in Saskatchewan, but the unemployment rate was little changed at 3.4%, as fewer people participated in the labour market. The unemployment rate remained the lowest among the provinces. On a year-over-year basis, employment in Saskatchewan increased by 15,000 (+2.7%), the fastest growth rate in the country.

In Quebec, employment increased by 20,000 in November, following six months without growth. However, the unemployment rate was virtually unchanged at 7.6%, as more people participated in the labour market. Compared with 12 months earlier, employment in the province was little changed.

In November, employment in Newfoundland and Labrador increased by 3,100, pushing the unemployment rate down 1.3 percentage points to 10.7%. On a year-over-year basis, employment in the province was little changed, the result of losses observed in the first half of 2014 being offset by gains recorded since the beginning of the summer.

Employment was unchanged in Alberta and British Columbia in November. However, on a year-over-year basis, the provinces posted growth of 2.2% and 2.0% respectively, above the national average of 0.8%.

Fewer men aged 55 and over employed in November

Employment among men aged 55 and over declined by 17,000 in November, pushing their unemployment rate up 0.3 percentage points to 6.2%. However, compared with 12 months earlier, employment for this group increased by 36,000 (+1.9%), the result of population ageing. For women in the same age group, there was little employment change in November or on a year-over-year basis.

In November, employment was little changed among people aged 25 to 54. On a year-over-year basis, men aged 25 to 54 saw an employment increase of 35,000 (+0.6%) and their unemployment rate declined 0.5 percentage points to 5.7%. For women in the same age group, employment was unchanged compared with 12 months earlier and their unemployment rate was virtually unchanged at 5.2%.

Among youths aged 15 to 24, employment was stable in November, but there was a marked increase of 56,000 (+2.3%) compared with November 2013. The employment rate was 56.5% in November, which was unchanged from October and the highest rate since February 2009.

Industry perspective

In November, employment declined by 42,000 in retail and wholesale trade, offsetting an increase the month before. Compared with 12 months earlier, employment in this industry was virtually unchanged.

Employment in professional, scientific and technical services decreased by 33,000 in November. Despite this decline, the number of people employed in the industry was similar to that of November 2013.

In November, the number of people employed in natural resources increased by 15,000, partly offsetting the decline observed the month before. Employment in the industry was little changed compared with a year earlier.

Agricultural employment rose by 8,000 in November, but was little changed compared with November 2013.

The number of private sector employees declined by 46,000 in November, leaving employment for this category of workers slightly above the level of November 2013.

The number of public sector and self-employed workers edged up in November, as well as on a year-over-year basis.