By Sheldon Spackman

6.5 per cent

Red Deer region’s unemployment rate edges lower in December

Jan 7, 2022 | 10:35 AM

The Red Deer economic region’s unemployment rate edged lower last month from 6.6 per cent in November to 6.5 per cent in December.

That’s also lower from an unemployment rate of 9.5 per cent in December 2020, according to the latest figures from Statistics Canada.

Elsewhere throughout the province, the unemployment rate came in at 8.8 per cent in the Camrose-Drumheller region last month, 7.6 per cent in Calgary, 6.9 per cent in Wood Buffalo-Cold Lake, 6.5 per cent in Lethbridge-Medicine Hat, 6.4 per cent in Banff-Jasper, Rocky Mountain House and Athabasca, Grande Prairie-Peace River, and 6.1 per cent in Edmonton.

Alberta’s unemployment rate was 7.3 per cent in December, down from 7.6 per cent in November and 11.1 per cent in December 2020.

Canada’s unemployment rate was 5.9 per cent last month, down from 6.0 per cent in November and 8.8 per cent in December 2020.

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Red Deer’s employment rate, meantime, was 59.8 per cent in December, down from 60.5 per cent in November, but higher than 56.9 per cent seen in December 2020.

Alberta’s employment rate was 64.2 per cent last month, up from 64 per cent in November, and 61.3 per cent in December 2020.

Meanwhile, Canada’s employment rate was 61.5 per cent last month, up from 61.4 per cent in November, and 59.3 per cent in December 2020.

Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation Doug Schweitzer issued the following statement about the December 2021 Labour Force Survey:

“Today’s job numbers continue to tell the story that Alberta is coming back and our economic recovery is reaching the kitchen tables of Albertans. Our nation-leading employment rate has increased to 64.2 per cent while unemployment has dropped to its lowest rate since before the pandemic.

“Our work to diversify our economy and ensure Alberta is the best place in the country to do business has resulted in huge investments in tech, film and television, petrochemicals and agriculture. We continue to see those investments turn into Alberta jobs, with more than 16,000 full-time jobs added in December and nearly 130,000 new jobs since one year ago.

“The momentum we’re seeing is translating into more people moving to Alberta from across the country, which is helping to lead to strong real estate markets. Across the province, real estate sales are up 52 per cent compared with 2020.

“Word is spreading that Alberta is the best place to do business, and our trajectory continues to move upward.

“The economic recovery and growth we have seen over the past year positions Alberta for a strong 2022, as we are forecasted to be the economic leaders in the country. Our work continues to ensure that the world knows Alberta is back and is a strong partner in every sector.”

Associate Minister of Status of Women Whitney Issik issued the following statement about women’s economic recovery in Alberta:

“Alberta’s government has been leading a coordinated effort to identify opportunities for action and collaboration in supporting the economic recovery of women in Alberta, and today’s job numbers tell us that our initiatives are working.

“Women in Alberta are leading the nation with a 60.6 per cent employment rate, while unemployment across the province has dropped to its lowest rate since before the pandemic.

“Alberta’s Recovery Plan is a broad-based approach that is building, diversifying and creating jobs across the province while having women at the forefront.

“With investments in women in STEM and grants like the Women in Economic Recovery Challenge Grant, as well as successfully negotiating a plan that will see licensed daycare fees drop by an average of 50 per cent for Alberta families, our government is helping to create the conditions for women to fully participate in the economy.

“There is always more work to be done, and we will continue to support this momentum.

“Women in Alberta are strong, resilient and hard-working. They have an important role in our economic recovery and without a doubt hold the pen in writing the next great chapter in Alberta’s story.”