The jobless rate in the Kootenays is at its lowest level in a year and a half.
Statistics Canada says the rate stood at 4.1 per cent in October, down from 4.9 per cent the previous month, and down from 6.3 cent in October 2025. The last time the rate was lower was January 2025, when it stood at 3.8 per cent.
StatsCan says the estimated population in the Kootenays last month stood at 150,600, up from 151,700 a year earlier, while the number of people working dropped from 93,200 to 85,800 in the same span. The number of people looking for work also fell from 5,900 to 3,500.
October was the sixth straight month that local unemployment either dropped or held steady compared to the previous year, as shown in the chart below.
| Month | 2026 rate | 2025 rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5.9 | 3.8 | +2.1 |
| February | 6.4 | 4.4 | +2.0 |
| March | 7.1 | 5.7 | +1.4 |
| April | 6.5 | 6.3 | +0.2 |
| May | 5.2 | 6.7 | -1.5 |
| June | 4.6 | 6.3 | -1.7 |
| July | 5.2 | 5.9 | -0.7 |
| August | 5.8 | 5.8 | nil |
| September | 4.9 | 6 | -1.1 |
| October | 4.1 | 6.3 | -2.2 |
The local unemployment rate last month was also lower than the provincial rate of 6.3 per cent and the national rate of 6.7 per cent.
Across the country, the unemployment rate rose for those ages 15 to 24 and those 55 and up. The rate was unchanged for those 25 to 54. Employment fell in wholesale and retail trade, but increased in construction and educational services.
Employment increased in BC but decreased in Alberta.
Average hourly wages among employees rose 2.2 per cent year-over-year to $37.89 per hour, which is the equivalent of an annual full-time salary of $78,811. The minimum wage in BC is $18.25 per hour, which works out to an annual full-time salary of $37,960.
