Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment increased by 1,100 jobs from last month and decreased by 1,200 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment increased by 600 jobs from last month and decreased by 1,000 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 200 people from the previous month and increased by 1,400 people compared to last year.

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 3.3 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 1.7 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 2.2 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels increased by 1,700 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 2,100 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment increased by 1,700 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 2,100 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 19,900 workers.
• Construction: 6,800 workers.
• Agriculture: 1,900 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: 10,000 workers.
• Health care and social assistance: 6,900 workers.
• Educational services: 5,700 workers.

In the Services sector, Wholesale and retail trade, Health care and social assistance, Educational services lead employment, representing 48.3% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

• Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 1,600 workers (increased by 19.05%).
• Health care and social assistance: Change of 500 workers (decreased by 6.76%).
• Agriculture: Change of 300 workers (decreased by 13.64%).
• Construction: Change of 200 workers (increased by 3.03%).
• Transportation and warehousing: Change of 200 workers (decreased by 7.14%).
• Professional, scientific and technical services: Change of 200 workers (increased by 10%).
• Educational services: Change of 200 workers (increased by 3.64%).
• Information, culture and recreation: Change of 200 workers (increased by 8.7%).

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 1,900 workers (increased by Inf%).
• Health care and social assistance: Change of 1,000 workers (decreased by 12.66%).
• Business, building and other support services: Change of 1,000 workers (decreased by 32.26%).
• Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 800 workers (decreased by 7.41%).
• Information, culture and recreation: Change of 600 workers (increased by 31.58%).

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 March 2026 was 7,740, showing a marginal decrease of 0 from the previous month. Relative to March last year, employment levels declined by 100, experiencing pressure.

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 56.4% in March 2026. This represents a decline of 0.0 percentage points from February (56.4%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 0.6 percentage points from 57.0%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 6.9% in March 2026, up 0.7 percentage points from February. Compared to March last year (6.7%), the rate has increased by 0.2 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The moderate correlation (0.70) 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 strong correlation (0.74) between regional and local levels. This indicates strong alignment in workforce participation, suggesting that labor market conditions affect both areas similarly.

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of 0.35 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.