Jobless rate down month to month, year over year in southern Alberta
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on March 12, 2022.
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews Unemployment fell in southern Alberta in February compared to both the previous month and one year earlier, according to figures provided Friday by Statistics Canada. The Medicine Hat-Lethbridge region saw the jobless rate settle to 6.6 per cent, two-tenths of a percentage point below the provincial average after sitting higher than that mark in January. The current rate is also down compared to the local figure of 7.5 per cent to start this year, and 11.1 per cent recorded 12 months earlier. Alberta’s rate continued to fall in February, to 6.8 per cent, almost half a point better month to month. That was mirrored by a similar change in Calgary (now at 8 per cent), while Edmonton (6.9 per cent) saw a slight increase. Rates fell in five of the province’s economic regions, including Camrose-Drumheller (now 6.1 per cent), Banff and northwest Alberta (5.2 per cent), and Wood Buffalo-Ft. McMurray (6.9 per cent). Red Deer saw a slight increase to 7.1 per cent. Analysis provided by ATB financial states full-time employment decreased by 9,600 positions, while 17,700 part-time jobs were added. The province saw 8,000 net jobs added, almost entirely in service-sector workers led by gains in trade, professional services, information and education to more than offset losses in the health, transportation, finance and accommodation. In the goods producing sector, 2,800 fewer manufacturing and utility sector positions negated gains in oil and gas, construction and agriculture. Alberta remained the only province in Western Canada with an unemployment rate above 5 per cent. Saskatchewan’s was 4.9 per cent. Quebec posted the lowest rate among provinces at 4.5 per cent, one point lower than the national average. 12-11
