South Peace Historical Society

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  • Table of Contents

    • Part 1: First Nations of the Peace River Region
    • Part 2: The Fur Trade Era
    • Part 3: Transportation and Communication
    • Part 4: Old Timers and the Price of Land
    • Part 5: Dawson Creek: The Story of the Community
    • Part 6: Mysteries, Adventures and Indian Legends
    • Part 7: Arts, Crafts and Recreation
    • Part 8: Agriculture
    • Part 9: Church Histories
    • Part 10: Schools
    • Part 11: Health Care
    • Part 12: Industries and Enterprises
    • Part 13: Policing the Peace
    • Part 14: Pouce Coupe, Rolla, and Other South Peace Communities
    • Part 15: Chetwynd and the Fort St. John Area
    • Part 16: The Alberta Peace
    • Part 17: Natural History of the Peace River Region
    • Part 18: Interviews with Old Timers
    • Part 19: Remembering Our Veterans

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BN12-29: Average Jobless Rate More Than Doubles

Recent History – 2000

Jan. 14, 2000, By Christine Podmore, Daily News staff

Northeast B.C.’s average unemployment rate for 1999 is 8.4 per cent, up from 3.7 per cent in 1998, but the monthly rate has been dropping steadily after reaching a high in July.

Provincially the numbers are more encouraging. Mike Farnwortn, B.C. Employment and Investment minister, credits the revival of B.C.’s economy for the positive change.

“Not only did we see solid employment growth in 1999, but we also saw a 0.6 decrease in our unemployment rate to 8.3 per cent,” Farnworth said. “Our economy is clearly recovering from the Asian flu and low commodity prices, and we are seeing the benefits of that recovery in the B.C. job market.”

Finance Minister Paul Ramsey believes better times are around the corner.

“British Columbia’s economy started to pick up in 1999, and the increase in employment and the declining unemployment rate reflect this improvement,” Ramsey said.

According to Statistics Canada, the northeast’s unemployment levels fluctuated throughout 1999. The lowest rate was in January at 4.9 per cent and the highest the region saw was 10.7 per cent in July and August.

Last month’s rate was 7.9 per cent, up a little from November’s 7.4 per cent.

In 1998 numbers reached a high of 4.4 per cent in December, with a low of 2.9 per cent in April.

The average annual jobless rate for the entire province was 9.0 per cent in 1998 and 8.3 per cent in 1999.

Ramsey says B.C.’s recovery is broadening. Exports and manufacturing shipment strength is flowing into the domestic economy. Retail profits are rising and merchants reported a good Christmas season.

The help-wanted index has been rising since May, and housing starts have begun to pick up.

The provincial government is expecting gross domestic products to rise 1.9 per cent in 2000 and 2.6 per cent next year with forecasters optimistic about the world economy.

This article is taken from the Peace River Block Daily News, Dawson Creek, with the permission of the publisher. The Daily News retains all rights relating to this material. The information in this article is intended solely for research or general interest purposes.

« BN12-28: New Systems to Reduce L-P’s Emissions by Half

BN12-30: Northeast Coal Never Fulfilled Its Promise »

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