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Accomodation, food services continue to struggle

Promising signs of labour growth in Alberta during July, compared to June

Aug 10, 2026 | 9:33 AM

The Alberta government’s July Labour Force Survey numbers are out. 

According to the latest figures, there were just over 2.67 million people employed inside our boundaries last month – a climb of 91,000, and a shift from June to July when there were 7,300 less positions. 

Crunching the numbers, that’s a 3.5 percent jump, and considerably more than the national average of just point-4-percent in July. 

The largest monthly employment gains were in construction at 7,600, followed by the finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing sectors, combined, at 7,200. 

On the flip side, the largest drop proved to be in accomodation and food services with the elimination of 9,700 jobs. 

The unemployment rate for Alberta last month was pegged at seven-percent-even, also up the Canadian average of 6.4 percent.

Below are more detailed figures:

  • There were 2,670,000 people employed in Alberta, an increase of 91,000 (+3.5 per cent) compared to July 2025 and a decrease of 7,300 from the previous month. Nationally, employment increased by 75,100 (+0.4 per cent) from the previous month.
  • Alberta’s unemployment rate remained at 7.0 per cent, higher than the national rate of 6.4 per cent.
  • Month-over-month, employment increased in the public sector (+4,500) but decreased in the private sector (-9,400) and among the self-employed (-2,300).
  • Full-time employment decreased by 8,500 while part-time employment increased by 1,000 from the previous month.
  • The largest monthly employment gains were in construction (+7,600); finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing (+7,200); and other services (except public administration) (+4,400).
  • The largest monthly employment decreases were in accommodation and food services (-9,700); building business and other support services (-5,600); and professional, scientific and technical services (-1,800).