The unemployment rate in Lethbridge increased slightly to 4.5 per cent in December 2023. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge unemployment rate rises slightly to 4.5 per cent

Jan 5, 2024 | 9:15 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Although Lethbridge experienced a small increase in its unemployment rate last month, the city still fared better than the provincial and national averages.

That is according to Statistics Canada, which released the results of its labour force survey for December 2023.

Across the country, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.8 per cent.

Job gains in sectors such as professional, scientific and technical services (+45,700), as well as health care and social assistance (+15,500) were cancelled out by losses in other industries like wholesale and retail trade (-20,600), manufacturing (-18,300), and agriculture (-17,700).

The unemployment rate in Alberta increased from 5.9 per cent in November to 6.3 per cent in December.

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While an additional 6,700 Albertans found work during that time, the number of people who were looking for jobs grew by 17,200, thus driving the percentage of those who were employed down.

The province saw a large rise in part-time employment in December, rising by 35,600. Conversely, the number of full-time positions fell by 28,700.

The industries that saw the biggest increases in employment over the last month in Alberta include professional, scientific and technical services (+6,100), educational services (+4,800), and “other services except public administration” (+6,900).

Other sectors in Alberta saw people losing their jobs, such as manufacturing (-6,000), construction (-4,900), and agriculture (-2,900).

In the Lethbridge Census Metropolitan Area (CMA), which includes some immediately-surrounding communities, the population grew by 400 over the last month to approximately 114,000.

The unemployment rate rose to 4.5 per cent in December from 4.3 per cent in November.

The reason for the growth in the unemployment rate locally appears to be the same as it was provincially – more people began to look for work than were able to find work.

The labour force in the city increased by 3,000 while 2,700 people obtained jobs.

Industry-specific breakdowns were not made available at the city level.

The full labour force survey can be read on the Statistics Canada website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

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