The large statistical area that encompasses the Town of Drayton Valley saw a slight decrease to unemployment in August, though it was still a notable increase compared to the same month in 2024.
According to the August 2025 Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada, the sweeping Banff–Jasper–Rocky Mountain House and Athabasca–Grande Prairie–Peace River statistical area had an unemployment rate of 7.2 per cent.
That’s down slightly from the seasonally unadjusted, three-month average of 7.4 per cent in July.
Despite the drop, unemployment is notably higher compared to last summer, when the Aug. 2024 unemployment rate for the region was 4.8 per cent — among the lowest in the province.
The City of Red Deer and surrounding region continues to see a positive turnaround in fortunes, as the August unemployment rate was 5.4 per cent — tied with Drumheller-Camrose for the lowest in the province. That compares to Aug. 2024 when the region’s 7.8 per cent rate was the second highest in the province — trailing only Edmonton.
Overall in Alberta, the unemployment rate jumped up from 7.8 percent in July to 8.4 per cent in August.
The total number of people employed in the province decreased by 14,200, largely due to a sharp drop in part-time work (-23,700). Full-time employment increased by 9,600.
On a year-over-year basis, employment increased the most in natural and applied sciences and related occupations; business, finance and administration occupations; and occupations in education, law and social, community and government services.
Over the past month, careers in health care and social assistance grew the most, while manufacturing saw the biggest decrease.
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