Local Jobless Rate Up, Below Provincial Figure

The unemployment rate in the Kootenays has edged up over February, but remains below the provincial figure.

Statistics Canada says just under 75,000 people were working in the West and East Kootenay in March with about 5,200 looking for work.

That puts the jobless rate at 6.5% compared to 5.7% in february.

The provincial unemployment rate is up from 6.9% to 7%.

Our local statistics are based on a three month rolling average and cover the entire Kootenay region.