Despite all the talk about layoffs in the oilpatch due to slumping oil prices, both Alberta and the Calgary area saw increases in jobs in April.
Statistics Canada reported that Alberta employment was up by 12,500, or 0.5 per cent, from March. The gains came from part-time employment, which was up 20,100 month-over-month. Employment was up by 53,300 jobs, or 2.4 per cent, from a year ago. The province’s unemployment rate remained the same at 5.5 per cent.
In the Calgary area, employment was up by 0.8 per cent, or 6,300 jobs, from the previous month and by 4.6 per cent, or 36,600 positions, from a year ago. Calgary’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 5.3 per cent from 5.2 per cent in March.
Across Canada, the federal agency said employment was down 0.1 per cent with a loss of 19,700 jobs. However, year-over-year it was up by 0.8 per cent, or 139,100 positions.
mtoneguzzi@calgaryherald.com
Statistics Canada reported that Alberta employment was up by 12,500, or 0.5 per cent, from March. The gains came from part-time employment, which was up 20,100 month-over-month. Employment was up by 53,300 jobs, or 2.4 per cent, from a year ago. The province’s unemployment rate remained the same at 5.5 per cent.
In the Calgary area, employment was up by 0.8 per cent, or 6,300 jobs, from the previous month and by 4.6 per cent, or 36,600 positions, from a year ago. Calgary’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 5.3 per cent from 5.2 per cent in March.
Across Canada, the federal agency said employment was down 0.1 per cent with a loss of 19,700 jobs. However, year-over-year it was up by 0.8 per cent, or 139,100 positions.
