The figures also show B.C.’s recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic is gaining strength provincewide, with the Prince George, Okanagan and Cariboo areas posting the strongest gains, he said
“We have the fastest recovery in the country,” Kahlon said at a news conference. “We’re also seeing wages go up.”
A senior B.C. business analyst cautioned against placing too much optimism for an early recovery, because the pandemic is still here and some business sectors, especially tourism, hospitality and entertainment, still face disruption.
“While B.C. has gained back the jobs lost in the spring of 2020, employment has not fully recovered in some segments of the services economy,” said Jock Finlayson, Business Council of B.C. senior adviser, in a statement. “In addition, many small businesses are struggling to survive and there is a risk quite a few of these businesses could disappear if the pandemic persists for another six to 12 months.”
He said the province can help boost the recovery by continuing to support the hardest-hit industry sectors, avoiding introducing policies that will increase costs for employers and being careful about “adopting a new mandatory paid sick leave policy in 2022.”
Some businesses not currently paying sick leave benefits will find it difficult to absorb those costs, Finlayson said.
The B.C. government is expected to introduce a mandatory sick leave program in January.
Kahlon acknowledged the recovery has not been as robust everywhere or for everyone.
“We know that some communities, some people within our communities, have been disproportionately impacted and we want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity not only to get the skills but the training they need,” said Kahlon.
The minister made his comments as he announced an expanded tech sector training program that gives priority to some under-represented people, including Indigenous Peoples, women, immigrants and those who are disabled.
Kahlon said up to 2,000 people will get the opportunity to improve tech skills and knowledge through an expanded Canadian Tech Accelerator program, which is a collaboration between the province, digital companies across Canada and Microsoft Canada.
Statistics Canada also reported Friday that Canada added 157,000 jobs in September, bringing employment back to February 2020 levels.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2021.
Dirk Meissner, The Canadian Press
B.C. leads in job creation numbers, but more work ahead, says recovery minister - Energeticcity.ca
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