Most of the new jobs created are full time

By The Canadian Press

Regional unemployment rate lowest in Alberta

Canada adds 157,000 jobs in September, returning to pre-pandemic levels

Oct 8, 2021 | 7:28 AM

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says the economy added 157,000 jobs in September, bringing employment back to pre-pandemic levels for the first time.

The unemployment rate fell to 6.9 per cent, down from 7.1 per cent in August.

The last time Canada had this large an employment gain was in June 2021, when the economy added 231,000 jobs.

The statistics agency says the job gains were widespread, but concentrated in full-time work and evenly split between the public and private sector.

Still, the ranks of long-term unemployed who have been without work for six month or more remained little changed last month and was still double the number recorded in February 2020.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

7h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner

Dec 06, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

CHAT News producer makes 'emotional' return to Medicine Hat's old arena

Dec 06, 2024

And Statistics Canada notes that the employment rate remains just below the pre-pandemic figure, reflecting the fact that job growth hasn’t matched population growth over the past 19 months.

The Medicine Hat – Lethbridge regional unemployment rate in September was the lowest in Alberta at 5.7 per cent.

A year ago it was 8.6 per cent.

Alberta’s unemployment level for September was 8.1 per cent