The local jobless indicator last month was at its highest point in the past year and a half.
According to Statistics Canada, the Kootenay unemployment rate stood at 7.1 per cent in March. That’s compared to 5.7 per cent in 2025.
It’s highest the rate been since August 2024, when it was also 7.1 per cent. While the rate has fluctuated since, it was below seven per cent for much of 2025, though it remained higher than 2023 levels.
StatsCan estimates 88,600 people had jobs in the Kootenays last month while 6,300 were looking for work. Last year at the same time, there were 80,700 people with jobs and 4,900 looking.
The local rate in March was higher than the national and provincial rate of 6.7 per cent.
StatsCan said employment held steady overall across the country. Another 15,000 jobs were added in personal and repair services, and another 10,000 in natural resources. There was a loss of 11,000 jobs in finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing.
BC showed the greatest net loss, with 19,000 fewer jobs.
Nation-wide, average hourly wages increased 4.7 per cent year-over-year to $37.73 per hour.
