The August data was released September 6. Unemployment in Alberta is up 7.2% ( 7.0% July and 6.6% in June) for the third consecutive month and remains higher than it was last year over the summer months (2018 – August 6.7%, July 6.7%, and June 6.5%). It remains lower than it was between January 2016 and June 2017 when oil and gas industry downturn effects were greatest (Thankfully!!)
Alberta’s Labour Force has grown this year with 18.7 thousand more participants and 4.1 thousand more people employed. The number of unemployed (on EI and actively looking for work) has increased by 14.6 thousand since last August.
Industries with the biggest losses of employment this year in August as compared to last year:
- Forestry, Fishing, Mining, Oil & Gas: -11.6%
- Business, Building & Other Support Services: -6.5%
- Accommodation and Food Services: -4.4%
Industries with the largest employment gains as compared to last August were:
- Public Administration: +6.6%
- Health Care & Social Assistance: +4.9%
- Manufacturing: +4.6%
- Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing: +3.3%
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services: +3.1%
Canada’s unemployment rate is 5.8%, down from 6.1% in August 2018. Only New Brunswick and Alberta experienced increased provincial unemployment rates in August 2019.
Since last week when I posted a blog about some of Alberta’s July 2019 Labour Force data, another 5000 Canadian Baby Boomers have retired. Those retirees do not affect the employment or unemployment rates – they affect the Labour Force Participation rates. Alberta has the highest provincial participation rate at 71.5%.
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