Red Deer unemployment up a full percentage point in April

The adjusted rate for Alberta moves from 6.5 per cent to 7.0 per cent, which is slightly above the national unemployment rate of 6.9 per cent.

Per the Gov’t of Alberta:

There were 2,656,600 people employed in Alberta, an increase of 89,100 (+3.5 per cent) compared to April 2025 and a slight increase of 1,000 from the previous month. Nationally, Canada recorded a slight average decrease of 17,700 (-0.1 per cent) from the previous month.
Employment increased in the private sector (+9,400) and decreased in the public sector (-800) and among the self-employed (-7,600).
Part-time employment increased by 12,400 while full-time employment decreased by 11,400 from the previous month.
The largest monthly employment gains were in wholesale and retail trade (+12,600); business, building and other support services (+3,500); and professional, scientific and technical services (+2,800).
The largest monthly employment decreases were in health care and social assistance (-7,700); information, culture and recreation (-4,100); and construction (-2,300).

Indigenous statistics

In April 2026, the unemployment rate for Indigenous peoples living off reserve in Alberta was 11.6 per cent. This is an increase of 1.4 percentage points from March 2026 and an increase of 0.2 percentage points from the same month last year.
Employment decreased for Indigenous women (-1,500) and was unchanged for Indigenous men between March 2026 and April 2026.
Between March 2026 and April 2026, employment fell for Indigenous youth (15 to 24 years old) (-400), shrunk among core-aged Indigenous workers (25 to 54 years old) (-200), and decreased for older Indigenous workers (55+ years) (-900).

The full April 2026 Labour Force report can be read here.

by Josh Hall