The unemployment rate in western Alberta rose slightly last month. The rate for the region that stretches from Peace River to Banff sat at 5.3 per cent in October, up from 5.2 per cent in September. It was 5.8 per cent in October 2017.
Statistics Canada says Alberta’s jobless rate also rose from 7 per cent to 7.3 per cent, while Canada’s dipped to 5.8 per cent. That’s a four year low.
However, the drop is being overshadowed by the lack of job growth cross-country. The number of new jobs was low at 11,200 and the average wage dropped to its lowest since late 2017.