By Shaun Penner

January Labour Statistics

Unemployment up in GP and Alberta, down across Canada

Feb 7, 2020 | 8:40 AM

Employment statistics continue to paint a brighter picture across Canada, but not so much in Alberta.

Statistics Canada released its labour force report for the month of January, saying the national economy added 34,500 jobs last month as the unemployment rate ticked down a tenth of a percentage point to 5.5 per cent.

Meanwhile, in Alberta, the provincial unemployment rate rose to 7.3 per cent from seven per cent in December of 2019, while the province saw a decrease of just under 19,000 jobs, a majority of which came from the part-time sector.

In the region that includes Grande Prairie, the unemployment rate jumped to 6.5 per cent, up nearly a full two per cent from January of 2019. That rate is the fourth highest in the province, behind Edmonton (7.9%), Red Deer (7.4%) and Calgary (6.9%).

Courtesy: Government of Alberta

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The trades and construction industries saw the biggest losses in employment last month in Alberta, with a decrease of 9,000 jobs in the trades and just over 6,000 in construction.

The sector that includes Forestry, Fishing, Mining, Oil and Gas did see an uptick in January, though, adding 4,200 jobs province-wide. Accommodation and food services, as well as manufacturing saw increases in the number of jobs, as well.

Nationally, the gain in jobs came as the number of full-time jobs rose by 35,700 in January, while part-time employment fell by 1,200.

The manufacturing, construction and agriculture sectors saw gains, while employment fell in health care and social assistance.

The Bank of Canada kept its key interest rate target on hold last month but left the door open to future rate cuts if weakness seen in the economy at the end of last year is more persistent than expected.

Governor Stephen Poloz has said the central bank will be paying particular attention to developments in consumer spending, the housing market and business investment.

(With files from the Canadian Press)