Alberta economy was one of the top performers in terms of job growth in Canada in April 2025. (Photo: Wellesenterprises | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

Alberta adds 15,000 jobs in April

May 9, 2025 | 9:35 AM

A new report from Statistics Canada says Alberta was one of the country’s leaders in employment growth last month.

It says around 15,000 Albertans found work last month, 14,100 of whom came into full-time positions. This largely helped to offset a decline in jobs from March.

Quebec was the only jurisdiction to see a bigger increase in employment, which was at 18,000.

Some of the industries that hired more people in Alberta last month include manufacturing (+5,600), information, culture and recreation (+5,100), and public administration (+4,600).

Other sectors declined, however, including professional, scientific and technical services (-7,300), natural resources (-6,100), and wholesale and retail trade (-3,300).

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Despite Alberta’s gains, the unemployment rate was flat at 7.1 per cent as the population grew by over 11,000.

Lethbridge continued to have the lowest jobless rate out of the province’s four largest cities.

Stats Canada says 5.4 per cent of people who were looking for work in the city were without a job in April, up from 5.1 per cent in March.

Employment in Lethbridge rose by 400, but that was slightly outpaced by changes in unemployment and population growth.

Red Deer had the highest unemployment rate of Alberta’s largest cities at 8.2 per cent, but that is down from 8.5 per cent the month before.

Calgary and Edmonton were relatively unchanged at 7.4 per cent and 7.3 per cent unemployment, respectively.

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

READ MORE: Unemployment rate rises to 6.9% in April as trade war hits factory jobs

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