Number of Alberta businesses down in all sectors during pandemic – except for one

Feb 17, 2021 | 2:15 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A new report from ATB Economics claims that only one sector in all of Alberta saw a net growth in the number of businesses since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Comparing data from February 2020 and October 2020, there were 6,708 fewer active businesses in the province with at least one employee other than the owner.

This marks a drop of 6.3 per cent.

ATB Economics analyzed 16 different industries, and out of all of those, utilities was the only one to add to that number.

Between February and October, another eight utility companies were added.

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Arts, entertainment, and recreation saw the biggest decline at 10.7 per cent. While this sector had the largest percentage drop, the highest overall decrease in numbers was seen in construction.

Alberta saw 1,021 fewer businesses in the construction sector.

There was a tie for second place with oil and gas and accommodation and food services. They each saw a reduction of 8.5 per cent.

ATB was not able to include educational services and healthcare and social assistance as Statistics Canada “suppressed” information to meet “confidentiality requirements.”

(Supplied by ATB Economics)

by David Opinko