The local jobless indictator fell in July for the third straight month when compared to figures from a year earlier. Statistics Canada says the Kootenay rate stood at 5.2 per cent, compared to 5.9 per cent in July 2026. That was lower than the provincial rate of 6.2 per cent and the national rate of 6.4 per cent. A chart showing the monthly rate in the Kootenays as compared to the previous year can be found below. Month 2026 rate 2025 rate Change January 5.9 3.8 +2.1 February 6.4 4.4 +2.0 March 7.1 5.7 +1.4 April 6.5 6.3 +0.2 May 5.2 6.7 -1.5 June 4.6 6.3 -1.7 July 5.2 5.9 -0.7