Alberta – Unemployment rate at highest level in more than 20 years

Alberta’s unemployment rate hit its highest level in more than 20 years in February, after climbing more than 2.5 points in the past year.

Statistics Canada reported Friday that the province’s unemployment rate hit 7.9 per cent in February, its highest mark since August 1995. That’s up 0.5 points from January and 0.6 points higher than the national average. The increase sent Alberta’s rate higher than Quebec’s, which sits at 7.6 per cent — the first time that’s happened in nearly 30 years.

The rise in unemployment came from an increase in the number of people looking for work, as Alberta’s labour force grew by 14,100 people from January. Overall, the province actually saw a slight increase in overall employment for the month, gaining 1,400 jobs (up 0.1 per cent from January). The growth came from full-time employment, which saw 10,000 new jobs (up 0.5 per cent), while part-time employment declined by 8,500 positions (down two per cent).

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at  Alberta unemployment rate at highest level in more than 20 years, at 7.9% | Calgary Herald