Unemployment rate nationally drops for fifth month in a row

By Brian Konrad with files from The Canadian Press

Medicine Hat - Lethbridge has lowest regional rate

Positive trend in employment continued in October

Nov 5, 2021 | 10:23 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The Medicine Hat – Lethbridge region continues to have the lowest regional unemployment rate in Alberta.

Statistics Canada says the regional rate was 5.3 per cent in October; it had been 5.7 per cent in September.

Alberta reported a half per cent decline in its unemployment rate, down to 7.6 per cent from September.

The province says full-time employment in Alberta went up by 9,400 jobs.

Employment in Alberta in October was up by 76,200 jobs compared with the same month a year ago.

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Nationally, Statistics Canada says the economy added 31,000 jobs in October, bringing the national unemployment rate to a pandemic-era low.

Unemployment came in at 6.7 per cent, down from 6.9 per cent in September, to mark the fifth consecutive monthly decline in the rate.

Gains were seen across a number of industries, including the hard-hit retail sector, but offset by declines elsewhere, such as accommodation and food services.

The statistics agency also notes a decline in self-employment, but suggests some of those moved to more permanent and in-demand jobs like in the professional, scientific and technical services sector.

Statistics Canada also says the ranks of Canada’s long-term unemployed, those who have been out of work for six months or more, was little changed in October at almost 380,000.