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Our economics team examines the latest statistics on employment, trade, consumer spending, the energy industry and other economic drivers to provide insight into what is happening in Alberta and where our economy is heading.
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Recent Owls
Like fine wine
The growing number of seniors in Canada’s big cities
Self-employment in Alberta during COVID
Self-employment sometimes goes down during a recession (as it did in 2015 and 2016) and sometimes goes up (as it did in 2009, in 1982 and 1983, and last year)
Investment in building construction edges down again in November
Investment fell by just 0.3 per cent ($6.0 million) compared to October, but was down by 2.7 per cent ($51.3 million) on a year-over-year basis
A tough year for job seekers
A look back at Alberta’s labour market in 2020 (part 2 of 2)
Not a pretty sight:
A look back at Alberta’s labour market in 2020 (part 1 of 2)
Part-time jobs hit hard in December
Over 30,000 full-time positions (1.7 per cent) were added in December while part-time employment fell by 42,200 (-9.5 per cent)
Use of ICT by businesses widespread but perhaps less than you think
Only a quarter of Canadian businesses had at least some online sales in 2019
Housing starts in Alberta slowed in November
While the drop has created significant pain for builders, suppliers and workers, the number of starts could have been even lower given the dampening effects of the pandemic
Timing is everything
The economy will almost certainly be better in 2021 than in 2020, but it will be a bumpy ride
Oil’s bumpy ride in 2020
Oil rallied as the year ended in anticipation of vaccine rollouts and a post-pandemic high was set when WTI closed at $49.10 on December 18.
The top economic stories of 2020 part 5 of 5
After a sluggish 2019, it was hoped that Alberta’s economy would pick up steam in 2020. Then COVID happened
The top economic stories of 2020 part 4 of 5
Whatever happens, change is afoot with a new presidency officially beginning on January 20
