KAMLOOPS (September 10, 2021) – Despite another month of job numbers demonstrating the clear need for a plan to create private-sector jobs and grow B.C.’s economy, the NDP has once again failed to act.
“Month after month we have witnessed disproportionately slow recovery in full-time and private-sector jobs, as small businesses and self-employed individuals struggle to get by,” said Todd Stone, BC Liberal Critic for Jobs, Economic Recovery, and Innovation. “Now, after another month of underwhelming recovery, it’s clear this government cannot just continue to ignore the problem and hope it will go away. It’s the NDP’s responsibility to put together a comprehensive plan to help revitalize the private sector, create new full-time jobs and grow the economy, but they have yet to deliver.”
Job numbers released today by Statistics Canada show that full-time jobs continue to lag behind their pre-pandemic levels, with 12,600 fewer than those in February 2020, and 17,400 fewer private sector jobs. The hidden unemployment rate remains high at 9.6 percent as people give up looking to find work or face fewer hours and less shifts. Additionally, recovery remains slow in the tourism industry, with the sector still down 21,800 jobs compared to pre-pandemic levels.
“B.C. businesses — especially those in the hard-hit tourism industry — cannot afford for this government to continue to drag their feet on this issue, they need to see real action,” continued Stone. “It’s not enough for the NDP to rely on the public sector and part-time positions to inflate job numbers while small businesses struggle to make ends meet or find staff amidst a growing labour shortage. The NDP needs to immediately implement a private-sector focused jobs plan to re-build B.C.’s economy and restore confidence.”
