Alberta unemployment up for December: StatsCan
Posted January 8, 2024 6:15 am.
Last Updated January 8, 2024 9:15 am.
Alberta’s unemployment rate went up again in December and the NDP says this should be a wake-up call for the premier and the provincial government.
According to Statistics Canada, Alberta’s jobless rate increased from 5.9 to 6.3 percent in the last month of 2023.
Edmonton was one of three major cities in Alberta surveyed. The capitals saw its jobless rate increase from 6.2 to 6.6 per cent. Calgary dropped from 6.3 per cent to 5.9 per cent.
Canada’s national unemployment rate however saw no change, staying at 5.8 per cent for December.
The number of full-time jobs country-wide fell by 23,500 in December, offset by a gain of 23,600 part-time positions.
Read More: Canada’s unemployment rate holds steady at 5.8% in December
Alberta NDP jobs, economy and trade critic Nathan Ip said in a statement the premier ought to be paying attention.
“These employment numbers should be a wake-up call for Danielle Smith and her government, who need to step up and start supporting Albertans,” he said.
A spokesperson for Alberta’s minister of jobs, economy and trade told CityNews: “With an increase of more than 93,000 jobs over the past year, Alberta has one of the top-performing economies in Canada.”
“While Alberta experienced a loss of new construction jobs in December due to the seasonal nature of the work, 2024 is shaping up to be a promising year for new jobs in the province, as companies continue to choose Alberta for major projects.”
The Bank of Canada held its key interest rate steady at five per cent in December.
The central bank’s next interest rate decision is set for Jan. 24, when it will also release its latest monetary policy report.
-With files from The Canadian Press
