Statistics Canada says Alberta led the country in employment growth in September 2025. (Photo: Wellesenterprises | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

LABOUR

Alberta leads Canada with 42,500 new jobs in September

Oct 10, 2025 | 10:36 AM

Statistics Canada says it was a strong month for job growth in Alberta.

They say employment increased by around 42,500 in September 2025, more than offsetting the decreases seen in the prior two months.

This includes an additional 18,800 full-time jobs, while the number of part-time positions grew by 23,500.

That pushed the unemployment rate down by 0.6 per cent to 7.8 per cent in September.

Alberta is a little bit above the national average of 7.1 per cent unemployment.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat: March 27-29

Mar 27, 2026

What's On

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat: March 20-22

Mar 20, 2026

WHAT'S ON

Here's what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat: March 13-15

Mar 13, 2026

Some industries in Alberta saw their workforce expand, such as construction (+8,400), manufacturing (7,900) and educational services (+7,400).

Others experienced job losses, such as transportation and warehousing (-8,100), information, culture and recreation (-7,100), and accommodation and food services (-3,400).

However, provincial officials say employment has increased by 95,500 since the same time last year.

Despite the unemployment rate falling on a provincial level, that was not the case for the Lethbridge-Medicine Hat Economic Region.

For the area that includes communities like Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Taber, Coaldale, Fort Macleod, Crowsnest Pass, and Brooks, the jobless rate increased to 8.8 per cent in September, up from 7.3 per cent in August.

Regional unemployment rates were as follows:

• Edmonton: 8.9%
• Lethbridge-Medicine Hat: 8.8%
• Calgary: 8%
• Wood Buffalo-Cold Lake: 7.2%
• Red Deer: 7%
• Banff-Jasper-Rocky Mountain House and Athabasca-Grande Prairie-Peace River: 6.9%
• Camrose-Drumheller: 5.6%

Nationally, there was a net gain of 60,000 jobs in September, but the unemployment rate was flat at 7.1 per cent.

You can learn more about the latest labour statistics in Alberta here. The national report can be found here.