The Alberta economy added 67,100 jobs between June 2023 and June 2024.*

The largest contributor to the increase was the forestry, mining, and oil and gas extraction sector which added 25,100 jobs, accounting for 37% of the total growth in employment over the period.

The accommodation and food services sector, which finally caught up in May to the number of jobs it had before the pandemic, was the second best performer in absolute terms, adding 20,600 positions or 31% of the total.

The primary agriculture sector has been adjusting to long-term factors such as the consolidation of farming operations and an aging workforce. As a result, it is the only major industry category in Alberta to have fewer workers in June 2024 than in February 2020 before the pandemic was declared.

Compared to a year ago, employment in the sector was 8,600 positions lower than in June 2023 (-19%). Compared to 10 years ago in June 2014, the number of workers in primary agriculture was down 44% in June 2024.

In absolute terms, the retail and wholesale trade sector posted the largest year-over-year decrease in jobs, down 32,200 versus June 2023 for a drop of 9%.

Down 13,000 positions compared to June 2023 (-5%), the lack of job growth in the construction sector is somewhat perplexing given its relatively high job vacancy rate and the rapid pace of residential construction in the province. We suspect that a mismatch between skills and the needs of construction projects is a key factor holding back new hires.

*All data in today’s Twenty-Four have been adjusted for regular seasonal variation.

Answer to the previous trivia question: The tradition of free pancake breakfasts during the Calgary Stampede started in 1923.

Today’s trivia question: Which newspaper issued its first edition on this day in 1889?