Statistics Canada has reported an increase in Alberta's unemployment rate in April due to the rising population. (Photo: Paulbradyphoto | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

Alberta’s unemployment rate rises to 7% in April as population grows

May 10, 2024 | 8:54 AM

Even as more people are finding work in Alberta, the unemployment rate continues to rise.

Statistics Canada has released its Labour Force Survey for April 2024, saying the provincial unemployment rate rose by 0.7 per cent to seven per cent.

The change is largely due to the fact that the population is rising faster than people can get jobs.

Over the prior month, another 16,300 people moved to or were born in the province, while 10,600 people obtained employment.

There was a sizable growth in part-time work of 14,000 positions while full-time jobs declined by 3,400.

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The sectors with the biggest gains in employment were natural resources (+6,400), professional scientific and technical services (+4,700), and “other services” (+4,400).

On the other hand, job losses were seen in wholesale and retail trade (-4,600), as well as healthcare and social assistance (-3,900).

In Lethbridge, there was a small improvement to the unemployment rate as it fell from 6.6 per cent in March to 6.4 per cent in April. The population rose by 400 while employment increased by 500.

Calgary’s unemployment rate shot up from 6.5 per cent to 7.7 per cent, but this was due to a surge in population. 5,600 people started to call Calgary home while just 3,700 jobs were added, but the number of people looking for work increased by 17,200.

The jobless rate in Edmonton was flat at 6.4 per cent as the capital saw another 5,300 jobs and another 5,600 residents.