(Photo: Canadian Press)

By Justin Goulet

Lethbridge-Medicine Hat sees small jump in unemployment in November

Dec 3, 2021 | 9:49 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Alberta’s unemployment rate in November did not change from October.

Last month, the jobless rate in the province was 7.6 per cent, the same as it was in October. The Lethbridge-Medicine Hat economic region saw a very small increase but continued to see the lowest rate in the province.

In November, the region saw an unemployment rate of 5.5 per cent, up from 5.3 per cent in October. Below is a list of all of Alberta’s economic regions and their jobless rate for November, with October’s figure listed in parenthesis:

• Camrose-Drumheller: 8.8 per cent (10.2)
• Calgary: 7.7 per cent (8.2)
• Edmonton: 7.0 per cent (7.7)
• Banff-Jasper-Rocky Mountain House and Athabasca-Grande Prairie-Peace River: 6.7 per cent (7.1)
• Red Deer: 6.6 per cent (7.8)
• Wood Buffalo-Cold Lake: 6.1 per cent (6.2)
• Lethbridge-Medicine Hat: 5.5 per cent (5.3)

In Alberta, the unemployment rate for youth (ages 15-24), both male and female, was 12.8 per cent in November. The rate for adults (ages 25 and up), both male and female, was 6.7 per cent last month.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

16h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

A breakdown on November’s unemployment rate in Alberta is available here.

Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation Doug Schweitzer said, “November’s job numbers show Alberta’s economic momentum is continuing to build, with an increase of 15,000 new jobs.”

“In November, we saw the largest tech sector investment in Alberta’s history from Amazon Web Services, as well as a new groundbreaking investment from Northern Petrochemical, collectively creating more than 5,000 jobs in our province. We also announced nearly $850 million in investment from four agricultural projects that will create nearly 2,000 jobs.”

Schweitzer continued, noting a revival in Alberta’s energy industry, with oil and gas production and exports at all-time highs.

The Minister said, “the third-quarter venture capital investment numbers show that our province has set another record in 2021, with three months still to go.”

“This year was the year that Alberta got our swagger back. Next year will be the year we prove to the world that we are the absolute best place to invest, create jobs and raise your family.”

Meanwhile, the national economy added 154,000 jobs in November, according to Statistics Canada. The country’s unemployment rate was 6.0 per cent, compared to 6.7 per cent in October.