Lethbridge, along with several other Alberta cities, saw an improving unemployment rate in January 2025. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge unemployment rate improves as more people find work

Feb 7, 2025 | 11:51 AM

Statistics Canada is reporting a positive month on the jobs front in several Alberta communities.

In Lethbridge, for example, the unemployment rate went down from 5.7 per cent in December 2024 to 5.2 per cent in January 2025.

The agency says 1,700 people found work in the city over the last month while 300 left the local labour pool.

At the same time, the Lethbridge Census Metropolitan Area’s population, including some surrounding communities, grew by 300 to 115,600.

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A few other Alberta cities experienced improving unemployment rates this past month as well.

Calgary’s rate fell by 0.4 per cent to 7.7 per cent in January as the city had a net gain of 10,000 jobs.

Unemployment in the provincial capital fell by 0.3 per cent to 7.2 per cent as fewer people actively sought work in Edmonton.

Red Deer saw its unemployment rate improve from 10 per cent in December to 9.7 per cent in January as another 1,300 people got hired.

Provincially, however, the unemployment rate stayed flat at 6.7 per cent.

There was a major shift away from full-time employment as those positions declined by 21,400. At the same time, the number of part-time jobs rose by 17,100.

The industries with the biggest growth in employment in Alberta were professional, scientific and technical services (+7,900), agriculture (+3,400), and transportation and warehousing (+3,200).

Statistics Canada says the country added 76,000 jobs in January, pushing the unemployment rate down by 0.1 per cent to 6.6 per cent.

The full Labour Force Survey can be read on Statistics Canada.

READ MORE: Canada adds 76,000 jobs in January as unemployment rate falls to 6.6%

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