Edmonton’s unemployment is continuing to increase.
Statistics Canada released its employment numbers for January which showed Edmonton’s unemployment climbed to 8.1 per cent. It’s the second straight month the number has increased in Alberta’s capital.
In December, it was at 7.5 per cent and 6.9 per cent in both November and October.
“One never wants to see a rising unemployment rate, but it’s going up for the right reason,” said John Rose, chief economist with the City of Edmonton. “Not because of job losses, but because our labour force continues to grow and that number of people wanting to actively participate in the labour force is going up.”
Rose said another trend is employers appear to be cutting back on hours, as opposed to letting workers go.
“So what was a full-time job, in may cases, is now a part-time job.”
READ MORE: Expanding economy but ‘very modest growth’ for Edmonton in 2017: chief economist
Alberta’s unemployment rate stayed relatively steady at 8.8 per cent. It’s been between 8.6 and 8.8 per cent since September.
While the province’s unemployment rate was relatively unchanged in January from the previous numbers, Alberta lost 24,000 jobs, but it was offset by a gain of 25,000 jobs.
“In Edmonton’s case, we saw a very marginal employment gain – around 400 positions,” Rose said. “This was essentially part-time positions, so very nice to see an employment gain, but I would have preferred to see full-time jobs.”
Rose is forecasting a return to growth in terms of gross domestic product, output and employment. He cautions that while there will be modest gains made throughout the first half of 2017, it is the second half where it will be felt.
Nationally, 48,300 jobs were gained last month because of a surge in part-time and private-sector work.
READ MORE: Canada gained 48,300 jobs in January, unemployment rate dips: Statcan
Statistics Canada’s employment survey for January shows an increase of 32,400 part-time positions and a gain of 15,800 jobs in the more-desirable category of full-time work.
Canada’s unemployment rate fell to 6.8 per cent from 6.9 per cent in December.