The unemployment rate in Lethbridge increased to 6.6 per cent in March 2024. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge unemployment rate rises slightly to 6.6%

Apr 5, 2024 | 9:51 AM

Statistics Canada has released new numbers on employment for March 2024.

In the Lethbridge Census Metropolitan Area (Lethbridge CMA), which includes some immediately surrounding communities, the unemployment rate rose from 6.3 per cent to 6.6 per cent.

The rising unemployment rate was due to the fact that, despite another 300 people being able to find work over the last month, the population in the Lethbridge CMA grew by 500 to 115,400.

Calgary”s unemployment rate grew from 6.1 per cent to 6.5 per cent, while the jobless rate in Edmonton improved from 6.6 per cent to 6.4 per cent.

Provincially, it was a similar story to Lethbridge as the growth in population outpaced employment. The unemployment rate in the province was 6.3 per cent in March, going up by 0.1 per cent compared to February.

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The province added another 12,900 residents but overall employment fell by 3,200. Then number of full-time positions increased by 400 while there was a reduction of 3,500 part-time jobs.

There were some seasonal upswings in sectors like construction (+2,400) and agriculture (+800), as well as gains in healthcare and social assistance (+12,400), manufacturing (+4,600), and utilities (+3,900).

On the other hand, job losses were seen in industries such as wholesale and retail trade (-21,600), professional and scientific services (-5,400), as well as financial, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing (-3,500).

Full details on the latest Labour Force Survey are available on the Statistics Canada website.

READ MORE: Canada’s unemployment rate jumps to 6.1% in March as job growth comes to a halt

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