Slightly reduced in May, Nanaimo's unemployment rate still remains high at 8.5 per cent. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

languishing economoy

Nanaimo’s jobless rate remains one of highest in Canada

Jun 5, 2026 | 4:38 PM

NANAIMO — While the Nanaimo area’s unemployment rate ticked slightly downward, new Statistics Canada data showed the Harbour City has one of the highest jobless rates in the country among larger urban centres.

The Nanaimo area (Cedar to Lantzville, excluding Gabriola Island) had an 8.5 per cent jobless rate in May, a slight improvement over 8.7 per cent in April.

According to the report, Nanaimo’s jobless rate was tied for the fifth highest among the 41 monitored urban centres in the country, and the second highest in the province, behind only Kelowna (9 per cent)

May’s downward nudge in unemployment represented the first time since November (6.5 per cent) Nanaimo’s jobless rate did not rise.

Nationally, Canada’s jobless rate edged down 0.2 percentage points to 6.6 per cent, bolstered by 88,000 jobs last month, Statistics Canada reported.

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The unemployment rate among youth (15 to 24-year-olds) fell nearly one per cent to 13.4 per cent across the country in May, the first drop since January.

The youth unemployment rate has been elevated for young Canadians, reaching a recent peak in September at 14.6 per cent.

“Youth have faced more difficult labour market conditions in recent years. Since January 2024, the youth unemployment rate has consistently been above the pre-pandemic average of 10.8 per cent,” Statistics Canada stated in its latest jobs report.

B.C.’s jobless rate held steady last month at 6.8 per cent.

On Friday, the C.D. Howe Institute stated it’s too early to conclude the Canadian economy is in a recession.

Statistics Canada GDP data indicates the country experienced a second quarterly decline in real output.

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by Ian Holmes

Nanaimo’s jobless rate remains one of highest in Canada

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