Abbotsford Loses 900 Jobs in April as Unemployment Climbs to 7.3%

1 articles · Updated · abbynews.com · May 25

Abbotsford shed 900 jobs in April, pushing its unemployment rate to 7.3%—the first time it has topped 7% in six months.
That followed a 1,000-job loss in March, extending the first decline in employed residents since October 2025 and pulling the local employment rate down to 62.5% from 63.1%.
B.C.'s unemployment rate stood at 6.8% in April, leaving Abbotsford above the provincial average even as the province's employment rate slipped 0.1 point to 60% and most of Canada also weakened.
B.C. Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon partly blamed the softer labor market on the Iran conflict and U.S. economic decisions, while saying construction and manufacturing added nearly 12,000 jobs over the past two months.

As B.C. loses jobs overall, is the construction boom a sign of strength or a risky economic imbalance?

Can B.C.'s ambitious 'Look West' strategy rescue the immediate job crises facing cities like Abbotsford today?