The unemployment rate rose in Lethbridge this past month as fewer people were actively looking for work. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge unemployment rate rises 0.5% in November

Dec 6, 2024 | 9:29 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Although jobs were added in many other parts of Alberta last month, that was not the case for Lethbridge.

Statistics Canada says the city’s unemployment rate rose to 5.7 per cent in November, compared to 5.2 per cent in October.

The number of employed people fell by 1,300, which coincides with 1,000 people leaving the labour pool altogether and no longer looking for work.

The population in the Lethbridge Census Metropolitan Area, which includes some immediately surrounding communities, rose by 500 to 119,300.

Lethbridge’s unemployment rate remains stronger than the provincial average and that of its two largest cities.

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Approximately 8.3 per cent are unemployed in Edmonton (-0.3 per cent) while the same is true for 7.9 per cent in Calgary (+0.2 per cent).

The jobless rate in Alberta as a whole rose from 7.3 per cent in October to 7.5 per cent in November. That is the third highest rate in Canada behind Newfoundland and Labrador (10.8 per cent) and P.E.I. (eight per cent).

The increase comes despite a net gain of 24,300 over the past month, including 28,500 full-time positions. Alberta experienced an increase in employment in three of the last four months.

More people were hired in industries such as wholesale and retail trade (+12,300), finance, insurance, and housing (+4,400), and information, culture and recreation (+2,800).

Other sectors saw declines in employment, including natural resources (-9,300), educational services (-2,400), and construction (-800).

The full Labour Force Survey is available on Statistics Canada.

A breakdown of the jobs report on a national scale can be found in the article below.

READ MORE: Jobless rate reaches 6.8% in November, highest since January 2017 outside of pandemic

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