Do people have jobs? Are employers able to fill jobs? Where are the jobs?

Employment Growth - Greater Victoria had employment growth of 4.4% in 2007 up from 3.5% in 2006, and 3.2% provincially and 2.3% nationally.

> Source

Unemployment - In 2007, the unemployment rate in the Capital Region was 3.3%, down from 3.7% in 2006, but significantly less than the 2007 national rate of 6.0% and 4.2% provincially.

> Source

Labour Force Entrants and Exits - In Greater Victoria in 2006, there was less than one person age 15 to 24 entering the working age group (44,015) for every person age 55 to 64 leaving it (46,720).

> Source

Hourly Wage - The average hourly wage in Greater Victoria in 2007 was $20.59 up slightly from $20.00 in 2006. In BC, the average hourly wage in 2007 was $20.49 and $20.41 in Canada.

> Source

Retail Sales - Greater Victoria had retail sales of almost $4.4 billion in 2007, a 47% increase over the almost $3.0 billion in 2000. However, comparable to a national increase of 43% and 47% in BC for the same period.

> Source

Employment Sectors - The top three industries by labour force size in Greater Victoria in 2007 were: retail and wholesale trade (16.2% of the total labour force), health care & social assistance (14.6%), and public administration (10.3%). In 2003, the top three were: retail & wholesale trade (15.0% of the total labour force), health care & social assistance (13.3%) and accommodation & food services (10.0%).

> Source

Employment Rate – Of those over the age 15 in Greater Victoria in 2007, 64.6% were employed, compared to 63.0% in 2006. Both Canada and BC had employment rates of 63.5% in 2007.
> Source

View Chart from Report
Employment Growth in Canadian Cities Publishing Vital Signs
> Source: Statistics Canada