Another small improvement in local unemployment rate

ALBERTA – Southern Alberta continues to show slight improvement in its jobs numbers, even as the province struggles.

According to the monthly release from the Alberta government, the Lethbridge-Medicine Hat area saw its unadjusted three-month moving average fall from 6.2 to 6.1 per cent. A year ago unemployment stood at 5.6 per cent in the region.

Statistics Canada reports the unemployment rate in Alberta reached its highest rate since 1994, nine per cent, up from 8.5 per cent in October. The three-month moving average for Calgary was 10.3 per cent, while Edmonton improved slightly to 6.8 per cent.

There were 4,000 fewer people working in the natural resources sector in November compared to October, seasonally adjusted, and nearly 10,000 fewer compared to November 2015.