B.C.’s population is growing even as its labour force shrinks, according to Statistics Canada data released February 3.
The province’s population grew by about 2,500 people to 3,797,500 residents in January 2012, compared with the previous month. Compared with January 2011, B.C. added 38,100 residents over the year.
The labour force, however, fell by 3,400 people to 2,462,100 workers in January 2012, compared with December 2011. Compared with January 2011, things were better for the labour force, with 10,900 additional people working.
The 0.1% shrinkage in B.C.’s labour force in January 2012, compared with December 2011, was the flip side of the 0.1% growth in the labour force across Canada during those same months.
Glen Korstrom
@GlenKorstrom