The average number of paid employees* in Alberta was about 6% (111,111) higher in 2022 than in 2012.

Employment growth has been stronger in the country as a whole, with the number of paid positions up by 15% (2,280,124) over the same period.

A decline in goods-producing sector jobs combined with slower growth in the service-producing sector in Alberta account for the difference.

Paid employment in the goods-producing sector in Alberta was 8% lower in 2022 than in 2012 compared to 9% higher nationally.

Service sector employment in Alberta grew by 9% over this period, but national growth was stronger at 16%.

Key goods-producing industries in Alberta that shed jobs over the last decade include support activities for mining, and oil and gas extraction (-35%); manufacturing (-10%); and construction (-1%).

While support activities for mining, and oil and gas extraction employment was also down nationally at -28%, manufacturing jobs were up by 3% and construction jobs by 24%.

Tomorrow’s Owl will highlight areas of job growth in Alberta over the last decade. 

*Statistics Canada’s Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours includes “businesses in Canada that have at least one employee and, thus issued at least one payroll deduction remittance during the reference month. Excluded are businesses that are primarily involved in agriculture, fishing and trapping, private household services, religious organizations, international and other extraterritorial public administration and military personnel of defence services.”

Answer to the previous trivia question: According to Travel Alberta, the Village of Andrew is home to the world's largest statue of a mallard duck.

Today’s trivia question: What perennial bunchgrass found in Alberta is sometimes called prairie wool?