Local unemployment steady with April but up over 2022

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on June 16, 2023.

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

The regional jobless rate was steady in May from the previous month, but up from the same month last year, according to new analysis released by the provincial Ministry of Jobs.

The Alberta rate of 5.7 per cent was also largely unchanged as both the number of employed and unemployed increased, as did the size of the labour force.

The rate specific to the Medicine Hat-Lethbridge region was also 5.7 per cent last month, the same as April, but up 0.4 percentage points compared to May 2022.

Regional rates in Calgary (now 6 per cent), Fort McMurray (4.5) and Red Deer (5.8) were all down over 12 months. Drumheller-Stettler (5.6 per cent) was even, and Edmonton (6.4 per cent) and Grande Prairie (5.3 per cent) were up slightly.

Across the province, 66,600 more Albertans were employed in May 2023 year over year, with most positions coming in the services sector.

The number of unemployed Albertans rose by 1,500 as the labour force grew by 68,000.

The national unemployment rate in May remained even at 5.2 per cent. Saskatchewan’s fell two-tenths of a point to 4.4 per cent, the second lowest in Canada behind Quebec (4.0).

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