After three straight months of climbs, the unemployment rate in western Alberta has dropped. Statistics Canada says the rate for the economic region that stretches from Banff to Peace River was six per cent in July, down from 6.7 per cent the month before. It was 5.8 per cent in July 2017.
Meanwhile, Canada’s unemployment level is the lowest it has been in 40 years. The economy added more than 54,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate is now at 5.8 per cent.
Less desirable part-time jobs made up for the bulk of the gain with 82,000 positions created, offsetting a loss of 28,000 full-time jobs. The bulk of the job creation was in the public sector.