Vancouver Island and Coast Economic Region
Workforce Insights
March, 2026
Key Insights
Employment
decreased by 2,200 jobs
from the previous month and
decreased by 11,600 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
Full-time Employment
decreased by 500 jobs
from the previous month and
decreased by 3,300 jobs
year-over-year.
Part-time Employment
decreased by 1,800 jobs
from the previous month and
decreased by 8,400 jobs
year-over-year.
Unemployment
increased by 2,300 people
from the previous month and
increased by 3,700 people
compared to the same month last year.
Workforce Composition by Status
In the most recent month,
Full-time Employment
decreased by 500 jobs
from last month and
decreased by 3,300 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
Part-time Employment
decreased by 1,800 jobs
from last month and
decreased by 8,400 jobs
year-over-year.
The number of
Unemployed
individuals
increased by 2,300 people
from the previous month and
increased by 3,700 people
compared to last year.
Scroll down to explore the data
Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate
The
Employment Rate
decreased by 1.7 percentage points
from a year ago.
The
Unemployment Rate
increased by 0.9 percentage points
from a year ago.
The
Participation Rate
decreased by 1.3 percentage points
year-over-year.
Jobs Added or Lost by Month
Employment levels
decreased by 2,200 jobs
from the previous month and
decreased by 11,600 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
In the most recent month, employment
decreased by 2,200 jobs.
Over the last year, the labor market has
decreased by 11,600 jobs.
Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector
Construction:
39,700
workers.
Manufacturing:
18,200
workers.
Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas:
5,900
workers.
The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, which together account for 89.5% of the sector's workforce.
Top 3 Industries in Services Sector
Health care and social assistance:
80,000
workers.
Wholesale and retail trade:
69,300
workers.
Educational services:
41,000
workers.
In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services lead employment, representing 49.5% of the sector's workforce.
Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month
Construction:
Change of
1,700
workers
(increased by 4.47%).
Other services (except public administration):
Change of
1,200
workers
(decreased by 6.35%).
Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing:
Change of
1,100
workers
(decreased by 4.55%).
Agriculture:
Change of
1,000
workers
(decreased by 19.23%).
Information, culture and recreation:
Change of
900
workers
(increased by 5.96%).
Accommodation and food services:
Change of
900
workers
(decreased by 3.16%).
These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.
Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year
Accommodation and food services:
Change of
6,000
workers
(decreased by 17.86%).
Professional, scientific and technical services:
Change of
5,700
workers
(decreased by 14.36%).
Health care and social assistance:
Change of
5,200
workers
(decreased by 6.1%).
Agriculture:
Change of
4,200
workers
(increased by Inf%).
Public administration:
Change of
3,800
workers
(decreased by 8.56%).
The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.
Conclusion
Employment has seen a decline over the year, highlighting some challenges in the job market.
Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance, Public administration.
Local Workforce Insights
January, 2026
Updated monthly, local monthly workforce trends focus on total employment,
and employment and unemployment rates estimates at SLA level
Formed by one or more Census Subdivisions (CSDs), an SLA can be described as a territorial unit where most of the residents with jobs are working in the area and most of the jobs in the area are filled by workers residing in the area.
Port Alberni
SLA consists of the following communities:
Port Alberni, Alberni-Clayoquot D, Alberni-Clayoquot E, Alberni-Clayoquot F, Ahahswinis 1, Alberni 2, Tsahaheh 1, Klehkoot 2.
Key Local Labour Market Insights
Total local employment is 12,950 in January 2026, it decreased by 340 jobs from December and gained 340 jobs year-over-year.
The local employment rate stands at 54.7%. It went down by 1.4 percentage points
from December and grew by 1.1 percentage points from same month last year.
Local unemployment rate reached 6.0%. It went up by 1.0 percentage points month-over-month, and went down by 0.1 percentage points year-over-year.
Employment Trends
Total employment in January 2026 was 12,950, showing a significant decrease of 340 from the previous month. Relative to January last year, employment levels grew by 340, maintaining momentum.
Scroll down to explore more data
Employment Rate Dynamics
The employment rate reached 54.7% in January 2026. This represents a decline of 1.4 percentage points from December (56.1%). Year-over-year, the rate improved by 1.1 percentage points from 53.6%.
Unemployment Rate Trends
The unemployment rate was 6.0% in January 2026, up 1.0 percentage points from December. Compared to January last year (6.1%), the rate has decreased by 0.1 percentage points.
Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns
The moderate correlation (0.35) between regional and local employment levels indicates some alignment in employment trends. This suggests that local employment partially reflects regional patterns.
Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns
Employment rates show a moderate correlation (0.48) between regional and local levels. This shows moderate similarity in workforce engagement, suggesting that there are some shared labor market influences.
Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns
The unemployment rate correlation of -0.03 shows a weak relationship. This points to distinct local unemployment dynamics, indicating that local unemployment follows its own distinct pattern.
Port Alberni
SLA consists of the following communities:
Port Alberni, Alberni-Clayoquot D, Alberni-Clayoquot E, Alberni-Clayoquot F, Ahahswinis 1, Alberni 2, Tsahaheh 1, Klehkoot 2.
Monthly Local Workforce Trends
January, 2026
Updated monthly, local monthly workforce trends focus on total employment,
and employment and unemployment rates estimates at SLA level
Formed by one or more Census Subdivisions (CSDs), an SLA can be described as a territorial unit where most of the residents with jobs are working in the area and most of the jobs in the area are filled by workers residing in the area.
Port Alberni
SLA consists of the following communities:
Port Alberni, Alberni-Clayoquot D, Alberni-Clayoquot E, Alberni-Clayoquot F, Ahahswinis 1, Alberni 2, Tsahaheh 1, Klehkoot 2.
Scroll down to explore the data
Local area
Employment Trends
Total employment in January 2026 was 12,950, showing a significant decrease of 340 from the previous month. Relative to January last year, employment levels grew by 340, maintaining momentum.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Local area
Employment Rate Dynamics
The employment rate reached 54.7% in January 2026. This represents a decline of 1.4 percentage points from December (56.1%). Year-over-year, the rate improved by 1.1 percentage points from 53.6%.
Unemployment Rate Trends
The unemployment rate was 6.0% in January 2026, up 1.0 percentage points from December. Compared to January last year (6.1%), the rate has decreased by 0.1 percentage points.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Local area
Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns
Employment rates show a moderate correlation (0.48) between regional and local levels. This shows moderate similarity in workforce engagement, suggesting that there are some shared labor market influences.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Local area
Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns
The unemployment rate correlation of -0.03 shows a weak relationship. This points to distinct local unemployment dynamics, indicating that local unemployment follows its own distinct pattern.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Economic region
Workforce Composition by Status
In the most recent month,
Full-time Employment
decreased by 500 jobs
from last month and
decreased by 3,300 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
Part-time Employment
decreased by 1,800 jobs
from last month and
decreased by 8,400 jobs
year-over-year.
The number of
Unemployed
individuals
increased by 2,300 people
from the previous month and
increased by 3,700 people
compared to last year.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Economic region
Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate
The
Employment Rate
decreased by 1.7 percentage points
from a year ago.
The
Unemployment Rate
increased by 0.9 percentage points
from a year ago.
The
Participation Rate
decreased by 1.3 percentage points
year-over-year.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Economic region
Jobs Added or Lost by Month
Employment levels
decreased by 2,200 jobs
from the previous month and
decreased by 11,600 jobs
compared to the same month last year.
In the most recent month, employment
decreased by 2,200 jobs.
Over the last year, the labor market has
decreased by 11,600 jobs.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Economic region
Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector
Construction:
39,700
workers.
Manufacturing:
18,200
workers.
Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas:
5,900
workers.
The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, which together account for 89.5% of the sector's workforce.
Top 3 Industries in Services Sector
Health care and social assistance:
80,000
workers.
Wholesale and retail trade:
69,300
workers.
Educational services:
41,000
workers.
In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services lead employment, representing 49.5% of the sector's workforce.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Economic region
Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month
Construction:
Change of
1,700
workers
(increased by 4.47%).
Other services (except public administration):
Change of
1,200
workers
(decreased by 6.35%).
Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing:
Change of
1,100
workers
(decreased by 4.55%).
Agriculture:
Change of
1,000
workers
(decreased by 19.23%).
Information, culture and recreation:
Change of
900
workers
(increased by 5.96%).
Accommodation and food services:
Change of
900
workers
(decreased by 3.16%).
These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Economic region
Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year
Accommodation and food services:
Change of
6,000
workers
(decreased by 17.86%).
Professional, scientific and technical services:
Change of
5,700
workers
(decreased by 14.36%).
Health care and social assistance:
Change of
5,200
workers
(decreased by 6.1%).
Agriculture:
Change of
4,200
workers
(increased by Inf%).
Public administration:
Change of
3,800
workers
(decreased by 8.56%).
The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Economic region
Conclusion
Employment has seen a decline over the year, highlighting some challenges in the job market.
Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance, Public administration.
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Employment rate Provincial Comparison
Among 84 small areas in British Columbia, Port Alberni ranks 38th with an employment rate of 54.7%. The provincial range is 42.5% to 67.5%, with half of areas between 50.1% and 57.9% (median: 53.9%).
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Unemployment rate Provincial Comparison
Among 84 small areas in British Columbia, Port Alberni ranks 19th with an unemployment rate of 6.0%. The provincial range is 4.4% to 9.9%, with half of areas between 6.0% and 7.7% (median: 6.8%).
Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Vancouver Island and Coast Economic region — Labour Market Outlook
Total Job Openings
Most Job Openings
Job openings and employment by occupation and industry for the period 2025-2035
Forecasted number of new job openings in the period 2025-2035
Loading...
Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information
Forecasted employment in the period 2025-2035
Loading...
Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information
High-opportunity occupations
High opportunity occupations by NOC based on forecasted number of job openings in the period 2025-2035
Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information
BC workforce supply composition for the period 2025-2035
Forecasted number of new job market entrants in the period 2025-2035
Loading...
Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information
These job openings provide a forecast for the demand for labour
with the associated education background. This is a demand projection only
and is not a measure of how many graduates the B.C. education system needs to produce.
These job openings are projected to be supplied through a mix of young
B.C. residents starting work after being educated either in B.C. or
other jurisdictions, immigrants, migrants from other provinces,
or existing residents pursuing additional education.
Planners should take these other possible sources of supply into account
when using these projections for post-secondary program planning purposes.
Recruitment and Retention
Remote Work as Incentive
Anticipated to work remotely
Recruitment, Retention and Training Plans
Recruitment, Retention and Training Plans
Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (geography)
Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as
for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (organization size)
Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as
for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (organization type)
Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as
for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by business size
Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)
Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by organization type
Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)
Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by geography
Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)
Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Anticipated Work Arrangement in the Next Three Months
Anticipated Work Arrangement in the Next Three Months
Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (geography)
Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (organization size)
Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (organization type)
Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months
Loading...
Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Anticipated work arrangement - by business size
Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023
Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Anticipated work arrangement - by organization type
Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023
Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Anticipated work arrangement - by geography
Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023
Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions