The Surrey Board of Trade's latest labour market report indicates that while the city is emerging as home to Metro Vancouver's largest labour force, its arts and culture sector is waning.
Over 2024, Surrey saw a 25.1 per cent drop in employment in arts, culture, recreation, and sports.
“The reduction in arts, culture, recreation, and sport positions is concerning," board spokesman Jasroop Gosal noted in a press release. "These positions are critical to Surrey’s livability. These industries are not only economic drivers but are also essential for fostering community connection, diversity, and a sense of belonging. A vibrant cultural scene attracts a skilled workforce, enhances quality of life, and makes a city more appealing to businesses and professionals seeking an enriching environment.”
Meantime, there's growth on other fronts with employment in the trades, transport and equipment operator sector increasing by 11,589 jobs (up 19.6 per cent) in Surrey over this past year while the number of manufacturing and utilities jobs grew by almost 4,000 (32.1 per cent) over the same period. Business, finance and administration jobs boomed by 2,952 positions (6.4 per cent) and the number of jobs in natural and applied sciences rose by more than 1,800 (making for an increase of 8.8 per cent).
The board's December 2024 Labour Market Intelligence Report includes a "special snapshot" on the city's labour force trends from 2011 to now.
Statistics Canada defines the "labour force" as "civilian, non-institutionalized persons 15 years of age and over" whether employed or not.
According to the Surrey Board of Trade, Surrey's unemployment rate in November was "just slightly higher" than B.C.'s 6.8 per cent average.