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Construction employment falls again

The number of construction jobs fell to 9,200, a decrease of 100 jobs from the previous month

Construction employment in Abbotsford continued to sag in June, according to the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VCRA) figures.

The number of construction jobs fell to 9,200, a decrease of 100 jobs from the previous month. It was the fifth straight month there has been a decline, although employment is down only 0.5 per cent compared to 2014.

The jobs reflect lower building permit numbers, which are down eight per cent from January to May compared to the same period last year.

“The drop in building permits issued suggests construction employment will continue to decline in Abbotsford,” VCRA president Fiona Famulak said in a press release.

While yearly building permits numbers are still down from 2014, they improved significantly in May. With $22.7 million in permits issued, the value more than doubled April’s total. Residential permits accounted for the bulk of the rise and showed a 142 per cent increase from $7.8 million in April to $18.9 million in May.