Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 200 jobs from last month and increased by 1,900 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment remained unchanged from last month and decreased by 400 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 600 people from the previous month and decreased by 600 people compared to last year.

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate increased by 0.2 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate decreased by 0.8 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 0.6 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels decreased by 200 jobs from the previous month and increased by 1,500 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment decreased by 200 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has increased by 1,500 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 20,100 workers.
• Construction: 7,300 workers.
• Agriculture: 0 workers.
• Utilities: 0 workers.
• Manufacturing: 0 workers.

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

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

• Wholesale and retail trade: 10,500 workers.
• Health care and social assistance: 8,600 workers.
• Educational services: 6,100 workers.

In the Services sector, Wholesale and retail trade, Health care and social assistance, Educational services lead employment, representing 49.1% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

• Agriculture: Change of 1,800 workers (decreased by 100%).
• Educational services: Change of 800 workers (increased by 15.09%).
• Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing: Change of 400 workers (increased by 12.5%).
• Business, building and other support services: Change of 400 workers (increased by 15.38%).
• Accommodation and food services: Change of 400 workers (decreased by 11.11%).

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 (decreased by 100%).
• Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing: Change of 1,900 workers (increased by 111.76%).
• Educational services: Change of 1,500 workers (increased by 32.61%).
• Construction: Change of 1,500 workers (decreased by 17.05%).
• Business, building and other support services: Change of 1,300 workers (increased by 76.47%).

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

Conclusion

The overall employment trend is positive, with strong growth in the past year. 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 July 2026 was 7,870, showing a significant decrease of 270 from the previous month. Compared to July last year, employment levels contracted by 490, facing headwinds.

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 57.4% in July 2026. This represents a decline of 2.0 percentage points from June (59.4%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 3.4 percentage points from 60.8%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 6.1% in July 2026, up 0.3 percentage points from June. Compared to July last year (6.5%), the rate has decreased by 0.4 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The moderate correlation (0.30) 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 weak correlation (0.20) between regional and local levels. This suggests distinct local employment rate patterns, suggesting that local labor market conditions operate independently.

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of 0.14 shows a weak relationship. This points to distinct local unemployment dynamics, indicating that local unemployment follows its own distinct pattern.

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