Slow but steady rise in Kamloops unemployment

Jul 10, 2026 | 11:01 AM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops has seen a slow but steady rise in unemployment in the last few months as new data shows another roughly one per cent increase from May to June.

According to Statistics Canada, the unemployment rate in Kamloops in June was 6.5 per cent, up from 5.9 per cent in May this year. The area’s unemployment rate has been climbing steadily from the 3.8 per cent recorded in February.

Most of the statistics for Kamloops remained unchanged from month to month, with the number people working or looking for work staying at 65 per cent.

Statistics Canada said that trend is reflected more broadly nationwide.

“Employment was little changed in June (+18,000; +0.1 per cent), following an increase of 88,000 (+0.4 per cent) in May. On a year-over-year basis, employment was up by 99,000 (+0.5 per cent) in June, driven by a net increase in full-time employment (+131,000; +0.8 per cent),” said Stats Canada.

Week in Review

Week in Review: Week of August 3, 2026

18h ago

Week in Review

Week in Review: Week of August 3, 2026

18h ago

KSC AT HELM

'We want to continue the legacy': Ribfest's new era underway in Riverside Park

Aug 08, 2026

B.C. as a whole also saw little change in its unemployment rates, decreasing from 6.8 per cent in May to 6.5 per cent in June.

Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth Ravi Kahlon touted the province’s labour market, particularly for young workers.

“Today’s (July 10) Labour Force Survey reflects B.C.’s resilience, with B.C. adding 7,800 jobs in June 2026. Two-thirds of that growth is in full-time employment and the largest increase in youth employment in Canada,” said Kahlon.

“In the past two months, B.C. has created 33,000 new jobs.”

Youth employment in B.C. saw a two per cent jump from 51.4 per cent in May to 53.4 per cent in June, which StatsCan pins on summer job opportunities.

by Elora McCormack

Click here to report an error or typo in this article

Slow but steady rise in Kamloops unemployment

Our Community