B.C. employment picture dimming

The B.C. NDP is blasting the B.C. government over rising unemployment in the province.

Figures from Statistics Canada show B.C. had the worst job losses in the country in the past two months, with 21,000 jobs disappearing, said Finance critic Bruce Ralston.

Statscan said 9,000 of those jobs were shed in B.C. and the province's unemployment rate has grown from 7.6 per cent in December to 8.2 per cent last month.

Ralston said the unemployment rate puts the lie to a claim by B.C. Finance Minister Colin Hansen that the province will do better than other jurisdictions during the economic recovery.

Ralston also said the Liberals said the HST was the best thing the government could do to boost the economy, but that hasn't happened.

Among many B.C. residents still looking for work is Mike Blundell, who was laid off from his job as a sales representative for an office equipment company last year.

Men over 25 hit hardest

"I think what I was doing in that industry has had its day," Blundell told CBC News Friday. "So I want to see what else is out there to give me new opportunity."

Men over 25 have been the hardest hit in B.C., according to Gregg Taylor, of Transitions Career Consultants in Vancouver.

"Companies are looking to be more efficient," Taylor said. "We see more middle managers that were let go, people who've been in their careers longer."

Industries such as forestry, construction and manufacturing are still struggling and career counsellors are also seeing a lot of people from more volatile industries such as real estate and tourism.

"We are moving into February, the Christmas rush is over, there aren't the Olympics happening right now, so you can see layoffs in that sector," said Taylor.

Hansen said Friday that although B.C. is still facing challenges, it's bouncing back.

"We do see volatility month to month," he said. "But the medium- and longterm prognosis when it comes to jobs is very positive."