Wood Buffalo-Cold Lake Economic Region Workforce Insights

March, 2026

Key Insights

  • Employment decreased by 500 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 2,000 jobs compared to the same month last year.
  • Full-time Employment decreased by 100 jobs from the previous month and increased by 1,100 jobs year-over-year.
  • Part-time Employment decreased by 400 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 3,100 jobs year-over-year.
  • Unemployment increased by 100 people from the previous month and increased by 1,600 people compared to the same month last year.

Workforce Composition by Status

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

Part-time Employment decreased by 400 jobs from last month and decreased by 3,100 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals increased by 100 people from the previous month and increased by 1,600 people compared to last year.

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Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 3.2 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 2 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 1.9 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels decreased by 500 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 2,000 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment decreased by 500 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 2,000 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 19,700 workers.
  • Construction: 6,500 workers.
  • Agriculture: 2,300 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

  • Health care and social assistance: 7,900 workers.
  • Wholesale and retail trade: 7,400 workers.
  • Educational services: 5,700 workers.

In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services lead employment, representing 46.9% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

  • Health care and social assistance: Change of 400 workers (increased by 5.33%).
  • Other services (except public administration): Change of 400 workers (decreased by 9.76%).
  • Public administration: Change of 400 workers (increased by 8.51%).
  • Agriculture: Change of 300 workers (decreased by 11.54%).
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: Change of 300 workers (increased by 1.55%).
  • Construction: Change of 300 workers (decreased by 4.41%).
  • Business, building and other support services: Change of 300 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

  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 2,500 workers (decreased by 25.25%).
  • Agriculture: Change of 2,300 workers (increased by Inf%).
  • Business, building and other support services: Change of 1,300 workers (decreased by 35.14%).
  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 1,200 workers (decreased by 30.77%).
  • Construction: Change of 1,100 workers (decreased by 14.47%).

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.

Local Workforce Insights

January, 2026

Updated monthly, local monthly workforce trends focus on total employment, and employment and unemployment rates estimates at SLA level
Lac la Biche County SLA consists of the following communities: Smoky Lake County, Vilna, Waskatenau, Smoky Lake, Lac la Biche County, Saddle Lake 125, White Fish Lake 128, Beaver Lake 131, Heart Lake 167, Thorhild County.

Key Local Labour Market Insights

  • Total local employment is 7,770 in January 2026, it showed a decline of 80 jobs from December and rose by 140 jobs year-over-year.
  • The local employment rate stands at 56.6%. It fell by 0.5 percentage points from December and grew by 0.9 percentage points from same month last year.
  • Local unemployment rate is 6.8%. It fell by 0.0 percentage points month-over-month, and grew by 0.1 percentage points year-over-year.

Employment Trends

Total employment in January 2026 was 7,770, showing a measured decrease of 80 from the previous month. Relative to January last year, employment levels showed an uptick of 140, demonstrating resilience.

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Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 56.6% in January 2026. This represents a decline of 0.5 percentage points from December (57.1%). Year-over-year, the rate improved by 0.9 percentage points from 55.7%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 6.8% in January 2026, down 0.0 percentage points from December. Compared to January last year (6.7%), the rate has increased 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 strong correlation (0.71) 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 -0.13 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: Smoky Lake County, Vilna, Waskatenau, Smoky Lake, Lac la Biche County, Saddle Lake 125, White Fish Lake 128, Beaver Lake 131, Heart Lake 167, Thorhild County.

Monthly Local Workforce Trends

January, 2026

Updated monthly, local monthly workforce trends focus on total employment, and employment and unemployment rates estimates at SLA level

Lac la Biche County SLA consists of the following communities: Smoky Lake County, Vilna, Waskatenau, Smoky Lake, Lac la Biche County, Saddle Lake 125, White Fish Lake 128, Beaver Lake 131, Heart Lake 167, Thorhild County.

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Local area

Employment Trends

Total employment in January 2026 was 7,770, showing a measured decrease of 80 from the previous month. Relative to January last year, employment levels showed an uptick of 140, demonstrating resilience.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Local area

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 56.6% in January 2026. This represents a decline of 0.5 percentage points from December (57.1%). Year-over-year, the rate improved by 0.9 percentage points from 55.7%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 6.8% in January 2026, down 0.0 percentage points from December. Compared to January last year (6.7%), the rate has increased by 0.1 percentage points.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Local area

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a strong correlation (0.71) between regional and local levels. This indicates strong alignment in workforce participation, suggesting that labor market conditions affect both areas similarly.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Local area

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of -0.13 shows a weak relationship. This points to distinct local unemployment dynamics, indicating that local unemployment follows its own distinct pattern.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Economic region

Workforce Composition by Status

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

Part-time Employment decreased by 400 jobs from last month and decreased by 3,100 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals increased by 100 people from the previous month and increased by 1,600 people compared to last year.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Economic region

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 3.2 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 2 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 1.9 percentage points year-over-year.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Economic region

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels decreased by 500 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 2,000 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment decreased by 500 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 2,000 jobs.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Economic region

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 19,700 workers.
  • Construction: 6,500 workers.
  • Agriculture: 2,300 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

  • Health care and social assistance: 7,900 workers.
  • Wholesale and retail trade: 7,400 workers.
  • Educational services: 5,700 workers.

In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services lead employment, representing 46.9% of the sector's workforce.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Economic region

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

  • Health care and social assistance: Change of 400 workers (increased by 5.33%).
  • Other services (except public administration): Change of 400 workers (decreased by 9.76%).
  • Public administration: Change of 400 workers (increased by 8.51%).
  • Agriculture: Change of 300 workers (decreased by 11.54%).
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: Change of 300 workers (increased by 1.55%).
  • Construction: Change of 300 workers (decreased by 4.41%).
  • Business, building and other support services: Change of 300 workers (decreased by 11.11%).

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

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Economic region

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 2,500 workers (decreased by 25.25%).
  • Agriculture: Change of 2,300 workers (increased by Inf%).
  • Business, building and other support services: Change of 1,300 workers (decreased by 35.14%).
  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 1,200 workers (decreased by 30.77%).
  • Construction: Change of 1,100 workers (decreased by 14.47%).

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

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026
Economic region

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.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026

Employment rate Provincial Comparison

Among 65 small areas in Alberta, Lac la Biche County ranks 55th with an employment rate of 56.6%. The provincial range is 48.2% to 70.4%, with half of areas between 57.8% and 62.7% (median: 59.9%).

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026

Unemployment rate Provincial Comparison

Among 65 small areas in Alberta, Lac la Biche County ranks 44th with an unemployment rate of 6.8%. The provincial range is 4.5% to 11.6%, with half of areas between 5.8% and 7.1% (median: 6.2%).

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey March, 2026

Recruitment and Retention

Remote Work as Incentive

Anticipated to work remotely

Recruitment, Retention and Training Plans

Recruitment, Retention and Training Plans

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (geography)

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (organization size)

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (organization type)

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by business size

Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by organization type

Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by geography

Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated Work Arrangement in the Next Three Months

Anticipated Work Arrangement in the Next Three Months

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (geography)

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (organization size)

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (organization type)

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated work arrangement - by business size

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated work arrangement - by organization type

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated work arrangement - by geography

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions