Education in Fort McMurray census area reports losses, unemployment up

Posted on August 13, 2024

Most job sectors in the region reported little monthly growth in July, according to Statistics Canada data.

Published Aug 12, 2024  •  2 minute read

School buses parked at Holy Trinity High School in Fort McMurray on September 18, 2020. Sarah Williscraft/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network jpg, FM

About 900 jobs in educational services were lost month-over-month in the census region covering Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, according to Statistics Canada data released Friday. Most other job sectors in the region saw only slight gains as unemployment jumped in July.

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While education lost 900 jobs from June, the sector gained 800 new jobs between July 2023 and 2024. Catholic and public school leaders in Fort McMurray say schools are crowded and understaffed, despite growth in enrolment.

Retail reported slight relief in July. For 10 months prior, retail’s numbers had continuously plunged across the region. July’s numbers showed retail’s freefall ended with only 100 new jobs added. June’s retail data was the worst month for retail since January 2023.

Retail lost 4,100 workers between September and June, and lost 2,900 workers between July 2023 and 2024. Construction saw the most local growth between July 2023 and 2024 with 2,300 new workers, although lost 200 workers from June.

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July unemployment for the Wood Buffalo-Cold Lake census region was 6.1 per cent, up from 5.5 per cent in June. Employment dropped to 69.5 per cent from June’s 69.7 per cent. Employment in July 2023 was 69.6 per cent and unemployment was 5.2 per cent. Unemployment in the last 12 months peaked in August at six per cent.

The participation rate—which measures how much of the population is working or actively looking for work—rose slighty to 73.9 per cent in July. The rate was 73.8 per cent in June and 73.5 per cent in July 2023.

The labour force added 300 positions in July from June, and grew by 2,700 positions from July 2023. The region saw no change in full-time jobs and lost 100 part-time jobs in July, and gained 600 full-time jobs and 1,300 part-time from July 2023. Monthly gains and losses by industry in July were:

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  • The sector marked “other” gained 500 jobs.
  • Professional, scientific and technical services gained 300 jobs
  • The sectors covering the oilsands; retail; finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing; health care and social assistance; and accommodation and food services each gained 100 new jobs.
  • The construction, and transportation and warehousing sectors each lost 200 jobs.
  • Business, building and other support services lost 400 jobs.
  • Educational services lost 900 jobs.
  • There were no changes reported in public administration or the sector covering information, culture and recreational jobs.

Across Alberta, unemployment did not change in July and remained at 7.1 per cent. The national unemployment rate was 6.4 per cent.

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vmcdermott@postmedia.com

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