Unemployment in Kelowna Soars to 9.3% Amid Business Closures

UPDATE: Unemployment in Kelowna has surged to 9.3% as businesses struggle to survive in a challenging economic climate. This shocking rise marks a 2.2% increase in just one month, pushing the jobless rate beyond the levels seen at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several businesses are facing tough decisions, with the well-known Salt and Brick restaurant closing its doors for good last month. Owner Casey Greabeiel stated, “It just didn’t make business sense to be open any longer,” highlighting the pressure on local businesses.

“It’s always concerning to see unemployment rise in small-business-dependent communities like Kelowna,” said Ryan Mitton, legislative affairs director with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. The impact is far-reaching, affecting sectors such as construction, tourism, and agriculture.

Kelowna now boasts the second-highest unemployment rate in B.C., trailing only Kamloops, as other cities like Victoria report significantly lower unemployment at 4.2%. “The difference between Victoria and Kelowna is a tale of two cities,” remarked Gavin Dew, Conservative MLA for Kelowna-Mission. He attributed the disparity to what he called “bad policies” from the NDP government.

Mitton emphasized that small businesses are grappling not only with the repercussions of trade wars but also with high operational costs due to taxation. “At the same time that small businesses are trying to compete, they’re also facing high taxes here at home,” he explained, urging elected officials to prioritize solutions to address rising unemployment.

The B.C. government acknowledged the rising concerns, stating that it will soon announce plans to create jobs and boost the economy. “In the days ahead, we’ll be launching our next steps for creating jobs and prosperity,” the ministry of jobs and economic growth declared.

As the situation escalates, local business owners are alarmed about their futures. “One in five small businesses in B.C. say they cannot continue for another six months at this current rate,” Mitton warned, indicating that many will soon have to decide whether to lay off staff or close permanently.

This urgent situation in Kelowna calls for immediate attention from authorities as the community seeks support to reverse the alarming trend of rising unemployment. The fallout affects families and local economies, emphasizing that decisive action is needed now.