Statistics Canada reports that Alberta lead the country in new jobs in October 2024. (Photo: Wellesenterprises | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

Alberta lead Canada in employment growth in October

Nov 12, 2024 | 8:49 AM

The biggest increase in jobs this past month in Canada happened in Alberta.

That is according to Statistics Canada, which says Alberta experienced a growth in employment of 13,200 in October.

Approximately 8,200 of those were for full-time positions, while there was also another 5,000 part-time jobs.

This helped to reduce the province’s unemployment rate from 7.5 percent in September to 7.3 percent in October.

Some of the industries that had the biggest growth in jobs were construction (+8,500), manufacturing (+7,100), and information, culture and recreation (+6,600).

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On the other hand, employment was down in sectors such as wholesale and retail trade (-9,700), public administration (-8,100), and natural resources (-3,300).

Edmonton continues to struggle with a high unemployment rate, although the capital city did see some improvement. The rate improved from nine per cent in September to 8.6 per cent in October as another 7,100 people found work.

Calgary’s unemployment rate rose from 7.4 per cent to 7.7 per cent due to its increase in population being slightly higher than its gain in jobs.

Lethbridge continued to have the best jobless rate of the three cities, marginally rising to 5.2 per cent in October from 5.1 per cent in September. The number of people working fell by 1,500 in that time.

The population in the Lethbridge Census Metropolitan Area, which includes some immediately surrounding communities, rose by approximately 500 to 118,000.

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

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