S. Alberta jobless rate rises over last year
By Medicine Hat News on September 7, 2019.
The jobless rate in southern Alberta rose in August to 7.1 per cent, a two percentage point increase over last summer, according to new statistics out on Friday. That rate nearly matches the average in the province, where the actual number of working people remained even over 12 months, though the size of the workforce grew and affected the rate. Figures for Lethbridge-Medicine Hat show a jump from 5.1 per cent in August 2018, and a monthly increase from 6.4 per cent in July. Most economic regions in the province saw annual increases, with the notable exception of Calgary, where the rate dropped to 7.3 per cent last month, from 8.1 per cent last summer. Banff-Grande Prairie’s rate fell by half a point. Edmonton’s rose one full point to 7.4 per cent, and Red Deer (7.3 per cent), Wood Buffalo (6.3), and Camrose-Drumheller (5.6) aslo moved higher. Unemployment across the province rose by half a percentage point compared to last year. It now sits at 7.2 per cent, above the national average of 5.7 per cent. Saskatchewan saw the biggest improvement over the course of 12 months. The rate there is 5.1 per cent, down from 6.6 per cent last summer, while their employment participation rate is nearly that of nation-leading Alberta. Quebec had the lowest unemployment rate among the provinces at 4.7 per cent. In Alberta, 20,000 fewer jobs in oil-patch and construction were only partly made up in other goods-producing sectors like utilities and manufacturing. Service sector positions gained 16,000 position over 12 months led by professions and technical services and health care. 11-10
