Statistics Canada reported a net loss of 38,000 jobs in Alberta in September 2023. (Photo: Paulbradyphoto | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

Alberta lost 38,000 jobs in September: Statistics Canada

Oct 6, 2023 | 8:38 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A new report from Statistics Canada shows all of Alberta’s jobs gains over the past couple of months have gone away.

The agency released its latest its Labour Force Survey results for September 2023 on Friday, October 6, 2023.

Nationally, employment rose by 64,000 this past month, which was lead by an increase in part-time positions. Because of large-scale population growth, however, the unemployment rate was flat at 5.5 per cent.

The total levels of employment in Alberta decreased by 38,000, or 1.5 per cent, in September. This more than offset the combined increase of 30,000 jobs that was seen in July and August.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

There was a trend towards part-time work in the province as the number of full-time positions fell by 62,600 while an additional 24,800 people were employed in part-time jobs.

The biggest employment loss in Alberta was seen in the construction industry, which decreased by 18,700, while wholesale and retail trade declined by 14,900.

It was not all bad news, though, as several sectors grew provincially in September. There was an increase of 14,100 jobs in educational services, 5,500 in transportation and warehousing, 2,000 in natural resources, and 1,800 in information, culture and recreation.

As fewer people were looking for work, Alberta’s unemployment rate held steady at 5.7 per cent.

Over the past year in the Lethbridge-Medicine Hat economic region, the number of people who had jobs increased by 7,900. At the same time, the number of people who were looking for work went up by 13,000, meaning the unemployment rate still grew from 3.2 per cent in 2022 to six per cent in 2023.

For the Lethbridge census metropolitan area (CMA), which includes some immediately-surrounding communities, the unemployment rate increased by 0.1 per cent from August to September to 5.6 per cent.

An additional 1,200 people found work in the Lethbridge CMA over the past month while the population grew by 400 residents to 112,700.

The full Labour Force Survey report can be found on the Statistics Canada website.

READ MORE: Economy adds 64K jobs in September, unemployment rate holds steady at 5.5%

—

If you have a news tip, question or concern, please email Lethbridge.newsroom@Pattisonmedia.com.