Red Deer region sees slight increase in unemployment rate last month

The national jobless rate in September was 5.2 per cent, down from 5.4 per cent the month before and 7.0 per cent during the same month last year.

According to Statistics Canada, Alberta’s unemployment rate increased because employment increased by 10,800 while the labour force increased by 13,900 compared to the previous month. Full-time employment decreased by 13,100 while part-time employment increased by 24,000 over the same period.

In September 2022, according to Statistics Canada, the industries that had the most employment decreases from the previous month were Information, culture and recreation (-10,400); Public administration (-5,600); Agriculture (-3,300); and Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas (-2,400) (Chart 2). Industries that had the most employment gains over the same period were Professional, scientific and technical services (+9,500); Construction (+5,400); Wholesale and retail trade (+4,000); and Health care and social assistance (+3,500).

Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation Tanya Fir issued the following statement about the September 2022 Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada:

“Alberta is growing. In the second quarter, we saw almost 35,000 people move to our province, including almost 10,000 from other provinces and territories. An additional 10,800 jobs once again means that more Albertans and Alberta families are receiving regular paycheques.

“While Alberta’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 5.5 per cent, both our employment and participation rates increased and remain the highest in the country at 65.2 per cent and 69 per cent, respectively. We know that Albertans are hard-working and these numbers are clear proof of that. More Albertans are looking for work and more of them are working than anywhere else in Canada.

“Alberta is hiring across all sectors in an increasingly diversified economy. We will continue to focus on economic growth and diversification, creating good jobs and making life more affordable for all Albertans.”

NDP Finance Critic Shannon Phillips issued the following statement regarding the September job figures from Statistics Canada:

“Albertans continue to struggle to pay the bills and keep a roof over their head as they face high levels of inflation, the loss of jobs, stagnant wages, and additional costs from the UCP.

“Last month saw the loss of 13,000 full-time jobs, pushing Alberta’s unemployment rate higher than the national average. Meanwhile, Alberta has the slowest wage growth in the country.

“The UCP has also increased taxes, tuition, park and camping fees, car insurance, and now Albertans are facing record-high electricity prices after the UCP lifted the cap on power prices. At the same time, the UCP has made life harder for Albertans on fixed incomes by cutting AISH and the Seniors Benefit.

“Premier Danielle Smith will only make a bad situation worse. She will bring chaos that will destabilize our economy, and scare away investment and jobs – making it even harder for Albertans to get by.

“An NDP government will provide relief for Alberta families stressed out by the affordability crisis and build a resilient economy that creates good-paying jobs.”

by Sheldon Spackman

Red Deer region sees slight increase in unemployment rate last month

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