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Unemployment rises again in Lethbridge-Medicine Hat

Nov 3, 2017 | 8:57 AM

LETHBRIDGE – The unemployment rate for the region including Lethbridge rose once again in October.

The unadjusted three-month moving average for the Lethbridge-Medicine Hat region was 5.3 per cent, up from 5.1 per cent in September. A year ago unemployment was at 6.8 per cent.

Red Deer is now tied with Lethbridge-Medicine Hat for the lowest rate in the province, after another significant decline. Wood Buffalo-Cold Lake dropped to 6.9 per cent. Edmonton dropped to 7.8 per cent, and Calgary was also down, at 8.2 per cent.

Camrose-Drumheller rose to 8.2 per cent. The combined Banff-Jasper-Rocky Mountain House and Athabasca-Grande Prairie-Peace River region was unchaged at 5.8 per cent.

The province’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate ticked down to 7.8 per cent, due to a net gain of 11,900 jobs. Statistics Canada said a drop in part-time employment was more than offset by a big full-time gain. The size of Alberta’s labour force grew by 10,100.

The sector with the biggest gain was professional, scientific, and technical services, which grew by 9,500 jobs. There were also gains in educational services, agriculture, resources, and construction.