Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment increased by 1,900 jobs from last month and decreased by 600 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment increased by 300 jobs from last month and decreased by 400 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals increased by 100 people from the previous month and increased by 1,300 people compared to last year.

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 2.2 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 1.5 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 1.3 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels increased by 2,200 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 1,000 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment increased by 2,200 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 1,000 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 19,900 workers.
• Construction: 6,800 workers.
• Agriculture: 2,100 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, Construction, Agriculture, which together account for 100% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

• Wholesale and retail trade: 10,900 workers.
• Health care and social assistance: 7,000 workers.
• Educational services: 5,700 workers.

In the Services sector, Wholesale and retail trade, Health care and social assistance, Educational services lead employment, representing 48.1% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

• Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 900 workers (increased by 9%).
• Other services (except public administration): Change of 600 workers (increased by 15.38%).
• Accommodation and food services: Change of 500 workers (increased by 15.15%).
• Business, building and other support services: Change of 300 workers (increased by 14.29%).
• Public administration: Change of 300 workers (decreased by 6%).

These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

• Agriculture: Change of 2,100 workers (increased by Inf%).
• Health care and social assistance: Change of 1,000 workers (decreased by 12.5%).
• Public administration: Change of 900 workers (decreased by 16.07%).
• Transportation and warehousing: Change of 700 workers (decreased by 21.21%).
• Other services (except public administration): Change of 600 workers (increased by 15.38%).
• Accommodation and food services: Change of 600 workers (decreased by 13.64%).

The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.

Conclusion

Employment has seen a decline over the year, highlighting some challenges in the job market. Key industries driving the trend are: Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, Construction, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance.

Employment Trends

Total employment in April 2026 was 7,910, showing a considerable increase of 170 from the previous month. Relative to April last year, employment levels expanded by 70, maintaining momentum.

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 57.7% in April 2026. This represents a rise of 1.3 percentage points from March (56.4%). Year-over-year, the rate improved by 0.7 percentage points from 57.0%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 7.1% in April 2026, up 0.2 percentage points from March. Compared to April last year (7.2%), the rate has decreased by 0.1 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The moderate correlation (0.66) between regional and local employment levels indicates some alignment in employment trends. This suggests that local employment partially reflects regional patterns.

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a moderate correlation (0.69) between regional and local levels. This shows moderate similarity in workforce engagement, suggesting that there are some shared labor market influences.

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of 0.48 shows a moderate relationship. This suggests some common unemployment drivers, indicating that there is partial alignment in labor market stress.

Lac la Biche County SLA consists of the following communities: Lac la Biche County, Smoky Lake, Smoky Lake County, Thorhild County, Vilna, Waskatenau.