Alberta's unemployment rate dipped as national rate went up

By The Canadian Press

Public health restriction lead to job losses

Statistics Canada says 200,000 jobs lost in January

Feb 4, 2022 | 7:30 AM

OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says the economy lost 200,000 jobs in January amid stricter public health rules put in place to slow the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The decrease marks the largest drop since January 2021, when the economy shed 207,800 jobs.

The loss also pushed the unemployment rate to 6.5 per cent in January compared with 6.0 per cent in December.

As Omicron spread across the country, governments reintroduced capacity limits and closures for workplaces such as restaurants and gyms.

Statistics Canada says the bulk of the job losses were in Ontario and Quebec, which implemented among the strictest measures in the country.

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Alberta saw it’s unemployment rate dip by zero point three per cent, to 7.2.

The regional rate for the Medicine Hat and Lethbridge region went from 6.5 per cent in December, to 7.5 for January.

Food services and accommodations were among the hardest hit, with young people and women most affected.

(The Canadian Press)