According to the latest seasonally adjusted Labour Force Survey results, the Alberta economy shed 12,600 jobs in April for a drop of 0.6 per cent.

Part-time jobs decreased by 8.7 per cent (38,400) while full-time jobs increased by 1.4 per cent (25,900).

These numbers reflect labour market conditions during the week of April 11 to 17, 2021, just after the province reinstated a number of public health restrictions such as a ban on indoor dining at restaurants and indoor group fitness activities at gyms.

The provincial unemployment rate fell slightly from 9.1 per cent in March to 9.0 per cent in April. The improvement was due to a large number of Albertans (17,200) leaving the labour force and, in turn, not being counted as “unemployed” rather than a rise in the number of jobs.

With the third wave of the virus still in play in May, the employment situation in Alberta is likely to get somewhat worse before it gets better.

Nationally, Canada lost 207,100 jobs in April for a drop of -1.1 per cent. The national unemployment rate increased, going from 7.5 per cent in March to 8.1 per cent in April.

Answer to the previous trivia question: During the 123 months from January 2011 (when the current data series begins) to March 2021, the seasonally adjusted value of building permits in Alberta was below $1 billion only 26 times.

Today’s trivia question: What is the most common mother tongue in Alberta other than English and French?