North Coast Economic Region Workforce Insights

February, 2026

Key Insights

  • Employment decreased by 500 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 5,300 jobs compared to the same month last year.
  • Full-time Employment decreased by 800 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 5,300 jobs year-over-year.
  • Part-time Employment increased by 400 jobs from the previous month and remained unchanged year-over-year.
  • Unemployment decreased by 100 people from the previous month and increased by 2,000 people compared to the same month last year.

Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 800 jobs from last month and decreased by 5,300 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment increased by 400 jobs from last month and remained unchanged year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 100 people from the previous month and increased by 2,000 people compared to last year.

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Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 7.6 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 5.2 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 4.7 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels decreased by 500 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 5,300 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment decreased by 500 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 5,300 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

  • Manufacturing: 4,400 workers.
  • Construction: 3,200 workers.
  • Agriculture: 0 workers.
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 0 workers.
  • Utilities: 0 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Manufacturing, Construction, Agriculture, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, Utilities, which together account for 100% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

  • Health care and social assistance: 5,800 workers.
  • Wholesale and retail trade: 4,800 workers.
  • Accommodation and food services: 3,500 workers.

In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Accommodation and food services lead employment, representing 62.7% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

  • Construction: Change of 400 workers (decreased by 11.11%).
  • Health care and social assistance: Change of 300 workers (increased by 5.45%).
  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 200 workers (decreased by 4%).
  • Transportation and warehousing: Change of 200 workers (increased by 8.7%).
  • Public administration: Change of 200 workers (decreased by 6.9%).

These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: Change of 4,000 workers (decreased by 100%).
  • Other services (except public administration): Change of 2,600 workers (decreased by 100%).
  • Professional, scientific and technical services: Change of 2,100 workers (decreased by 100%).
  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 2,000 workers (increased by 133.33%).
  • Transportation and warehousing: Change of 1,800 workers (decreased by 41.86%).
  • Business, building and other support services: Change of 1,800 workers (decreased by 100%).

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, Manufacturing, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance, Accommodation and food services.

Local Workforce Insights

December, 2025

Updated monthly, local monthly workforce trends focus on total employment, and employment and unemployment rates estimates at SLA level
Kitimat SLA consists of the following communities: Kitimat, Kitimat-Stikine C (Part 2), Kitasoo 1, Kitamaat 2.

Key Local Labour Market Insights

  • Total local employment stands at 4,190 in December 2025, it declined by 50 jobs from November and contracted by 170 jobs year-over-year.
  • The local employment rate reached 59.2%. It declined by 0.8 percentage points from November and fell by 4.1 percentage points from same month last year.
  • Local unemployment rate reached 7.9%. It rose by 1.2 percentage points month-over-month, and rose by 1.8 percentage points year-over-year.

Employment Trends

Total employment in December 2025 was 4,190, showing a steady decrease of 50 from the previous month. From December last year, employment levels dropped by 170, showing weakness.

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Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 59.2% in December 2025. This represents a decline of 0.8 percentage points from November (60.0%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 4.1 percentage points from 63.3%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 7.9% in December 2025, up 1.2 percentage points from November. Compared to December last year (6.1%), the rate has increased by 1.8 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The weak correlation (0.22) between regional and local employment levels indicates relatively independent employment patterns. This suggests that local employment dynamics are largely independent from regional trends.

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a moderate correlation (0.37) 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 0.34 shows a moderate relationship. This suggests some common unemployment drivers, indicating that there is partial alignment in labor market stress.

Kitimat SLA consists of the following communities: Kitimat, Kitimat-Stikine C (Part 2), Kitasoo 1, Kitamaat 2.

Monthly Local Workforce Trends

December, 2025

Updated monthly, local monthly workforce trends focus on total employment, and employment and unemployment rates estimates at SLA level

Kitimat SLA consists of the following communities: Kitimat, Kitimat-Stikine C (Part 2), Kitasoo 1, Kitamaat 2.

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Local area

Employment Trends

Total employment in December 2025 was 4,190, showing a steady decrease of 50 from the previous month. From December last year, employment levels dropped by 170, showing weakness.

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Local area

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 59.2% in December 2025. This represents a decline of 0.8 percentage points from November (60.0%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 4.1 percentage points from 63.3%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 7.9% in December 2025, up 1.2 percentage points from November. Compared to December last year (6.1%), the rate has increased by 1.8 percentage points.

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Local area

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a moderate correlation (0.37) between regional and local levels. This shows moderate similarity in workforce engagement, suggesting that there are some shared labor market influences.

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Local area

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of 0.34 shows a moderate relationship. This suggests some common unemployment drivers, indicating that there is partial alignment in labor market stress.

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Economic region

Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 800 jobs from last month and decreased by 5,300 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment increased by 400 jobs from last month and remained unchanged year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 100 people from the previous month and increased by 2,000 people compared to last year.

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Economic region

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 7.6 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 5.2 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 4.7 percentage points year-over-year.

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Economic region

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels decreased by 500 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 5,300 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment decreased by 500 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 5,300 jobs.

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Economic region

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

  • Manufacturing: 4,400 workers.
  • Construction: 3,200 workers.
  • Agriculture: 0 workers.
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 0 workers.
  • Utilities: 0 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Manufacturing, Construction, Agriculture, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, Utilities, which together account for 100% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

  • Health care and social assistance: 5,800 workers.
  • Wholesale and retail trade: 4,800 workers.
  • Accommodation and food services: 3,500 workers.

In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Accommodation and food services lead employment, representing 62.7% of the sector's workforce.

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Economic region

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

  • Construction: Change of 400 workers (decreased by 11.11%).
  • Health care and social assistance: Change of 300 workers (increased by 5.45%).
  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 200 workers (decreased by 4%).
  • Transportation and warehousing: Change of 200 workers (increased by 8.7%).
  • Public administration: Change of 200 workers (decreased by 6.9%).

These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026
Economic region

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: Change of 4,000 workers (decreased by 100%).
  • Other services (except public administration): Change of 2,600 workers (decreased by 100%).
  • Professional, scientific and technical services: Change of 2,100 workers (decreased by 100%).
  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 2,000 workers (increased by 133.33%).
  • Transportation and warehousing: Change of 1,800 workers (decreased by 41.86%).
  • Business, building and other support services: Change of 1,800 workers (decreased by 100%).

The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 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, Manufacturing, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance, Accommodation and food services.

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Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026

Employment rate Provincial Comparison

Among 84 small areas in British Columbia, Kitimat ranks 20th with an employment rate of 59.2%. The provincial range is 44.9% to 67.7%, with half of areas between 51.5% and 58.8% (median: 55.4%).

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026

Unemployment rate Provincial Comparison

Among 84 small areas in British Columbia, Kitimat ranks 52nd with an unemployment rate of 7.9%. The provincial range is 3.7% to 13.2%, with half of areas between 6.2% and 8.8% (median: 7.2%).

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey February, 2026

North 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

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Data source: Labour Market Analytics, Forecasting & Information

Forecasted employment in the period 2025-2035

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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