Job numbers remain strong in Drayton Valley area while overall unemployment rises in Alberta

Unemployment remained among the lowest in Alberta to end 2025 in the region that includes Drayton Valley, even as the provincial unemployment rate edged higher.

According to Statistics Canada’s latest labour force survey, the Banff–Jasper–Rocky Mountain House and Athabasca–Grande Prairie–Peace River region recorded an unemployment rate of 5.0 per cent in December, unchanged from November.

Across Alberta, the unemployment rate rose slightly to 6.8 per cent, up from 6.5 per cent the previous month. The increase came as full-time employment declined by 4,800 positions, while part-time employment fell by 8,800.

Labour force participation increased among working-age Albertans in December, with employment rising by 10,800 among those aged 25 to 54. Employment also increased by 2,000 among people aged 55 and over. Those gains were offset by a sharper drop in youth employment, as job numbers fell by 19,200 among people aged 15 to 24.

Despite the monthly decline, employment across the province remains significantly higher than a year earlier. Compared to December 2024, full-time employment increased by 34,900 positions, while part-time employment rose by 23,400.

Year over year, employment growth was strongest in sales and service occupations, education, law and social, community and government services, as well as natural and applied sciences and related occupations.

–

RELATED

- Unemployment in Drayton Valley region drops to 5 per cent; lower than provincial average

–

On a year-over-year basis, employment increased the most in sales and service occupations; occupations in education, law and social, community and government services; and natural and applied sciences and related occupations

Most Alberta regions reported lower unemployment in December:

Lethbridge–Medicine Hat: 6.3 (down 1.2)
Red Deer: 6.1 per cent (down 1.2)
Edmonton: 6.9 per cent (down 0.2)
Calgary: 6.4 per cent (down 0.6)
Camrose–Drumheller 4.5 per cent (up 0.5)
Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake: 6.7 per cent (down 0.1)
Banff–Jasper–Rocky Mountain House and Athabasca–Grande Prairie–Peace River: 5.0 per cent (no change)

Nationally, Statistics Canada showed the economy added 8,200 jobs last month, while the unemployment rate rose three ticks to 6.8 per cent.

BMO chief economist Doug Porter says December’s job figures likely reflect the labour market’s reality better than the previous months of outsized job gains that caught most economists off-guard.

Porter says this moderation likely won’t move the Bank of Canada from the sidelines.

The central bank makes its first interest rate decision of the year at the end of this month.

Its key policy rate is sitting at 2.25 per cent.

You can learn more about the latest labour statistics in Alberta here.

~ with files from The Canadian Press