Canadian employment was largely unchanged from the previous month, contracting by 2,800 jobs, to 20.514 million in July. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.4 per cent, while the employment rate fell 0.2 percentage points to 60 per cent. Average hourly wages rose 5.2 per cent year-over-year to $34.97 last month, while total hours worked were up 1.9 per cent from July of last year.

Employment in BC fell 0.4 per cent to 2.843 million, while employment in Metro Vancouver rose 0.7 per cent to 1.602 million in July. The unemployment rate rose by 0.1 points year-over-year in BC to 5.5 per cent, while falling in Metro Vancouver by 0.1 points year-over-year to 5.8 per cent last month. 

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/employment-july-2024

Alaska is getting a new predator with some amazing skills. You might think the land of moose and bear has plenty of amazing predators already, but this one is a robot with a mission: keep animals off runways.

Last year, the Fairbanks International Airport had 92 instances of animal strikes on runways, which can be dangerous to the animals, planes and people.

Soon the four-legged robot, Aurora, will be stalking the runways at the Fairbanks Airport, hoping to spook birds and maybe even bears.

The dog-like robot is amazingly nimble. It can run across big rocks, snow and ice, and can even climb stairs. Designed with a colorful exterior, the robot can also be outfitted with a fur print to make it appear more like a fox or a coyote.

Consistency. Journal regularly to build a habit.

Honesty. Be honest with yourself; it’s your personal space.

Creativity. Use drawings or doodles to complement your writing.

Flexibility. Allow your journaling practice to evolve naturally.

Embrace journaling as a tool for self-discovery, creativity and emotional well-being. With these benefits and prompts, you can start your journey of reflection and growth, one page at a time.

Newlyweds Ava and her husband recently had moved into their first home, and she had decided to plant a garden, like the one her grandma had planted years ago. For years Ava took care of that garden and was excited to keep the tradition alive.

Ava planted a baby tree at the base of a stone wall in the corner of her garden and spent the entire summer coaxing the seedling into growth. Finally, the tree began sprouting green leafy vines that climbed the wall, but to her disappointment, no flowers bloomed.

To her surprise, Ava saw that her tree had not only bloomed, but had also sprouted flowers all along the vines that had crept over the wall into her neighbor’s yard. Her work gave her neighbor so much pleasure that Ava decided never to cut the tree down. She realized that what she had really planted were the seeds of friendship.

As we step into August, there's a certain magic in the air. It's a month that carries the last whispers of summer while hinting at the beginnings of fall. There's a unique charm in these days—the sun-kissed afternoons, the soft sounds of summer evenings, and the subtle shift in the breeze that tells us change is on the horizon.

August feels like a gentle reminder to embrace the moment. It's a time to enjoy the laughter of children playing, the taste of fresh garden vegetables, and the warmth of the sun on our faces. It's also a great time to find joy in simple acts, like sharing a homemade treat with a neighbor or taking a quiet walk in the early morning light.

This month, let's celebrate these everyday moments. Whether it's a backyard barbecue, an impromptu game night, or just sitting outside watching the world go by, there's beauty in the small things. And sometimes, those small things are what connect us the most.

Wishing you an August filled with sunshine, joy and meaningful connections.

Sincerely,

Gino,

RE/MAX Heights Realty

(604)418-9366