The local and provincial unemployment rates were lower in March, for which the provincial government credited the return to more normal business conditions, according to statistics released Friday.--News Photo Collin Gallant
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The local unemployment rate fell again in March as the province gained about 7,200 jobs, according to new figures from Statistics Canada.
The jobless figure for the Medicine Hat-Lethbridge region was 5.5 per cent for the month, down 1.1 percentage points from February and well below the 9.5 per cent rate posted one year earlier.
That placed it as the second lowest for any area of Alberta, which saw its province-wide rate fall to 6.5 per cent.
“Our economy is turning a corner,” said Alberta Jobs Minister Doug Schweitzer in a release. “After two extremely challenging years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alberta is returning to a more normal way of life.”
Analysis from the province stated that 7,200 net full-time jobs were added. Gains came mainly in wholesale trade, building and business support sector and accommodation. Losses were seen in transportation and private-sector services.
Over the course of the past 12 months, private-sector employment rose by 102,000 jobs while the public-sector shed 7,200 jobs and “self-employment” fell by 4,700.
In the monthly comparison, Edmonton’s rate rose slightly to 7.1 per cent, while Calgary’s fell to 7.7 per cent when considering three-month moving averages.
Wood Buffalo (Ft. McMurray) at 6.1 per cent, Red Deer at 6.9 per cent, and Camrose at 5.8 per cent were down month to month. Banff-Grande Prairie were up slightly to 5.3 per cent.
Alberta’s unemployment rate of 6.5 per cent compared to the national rate of 5.3 per cent. Saskatchewan’s sat at 5.0 per cent.
