A month-and-a-half into the removal of most pandemic-related public health restrictions in Alberta on July 1 (today’s Labour Force Survey results reflect conditions during the week of August 15 to 21), the number of seasonally adjusted jobs in the province was 19,500 higher than in mid-July for a growth rate of 0.9%.

Full-time jobs increased by 0.9% (16,300) while part-time jobs increased by 0.7% (3,100).

The provincial unemployment rate fell from 8.5% in July to 7.9% in August. Although still high, this is the lowest it has been since February 2020 when it was sitting at 7.5%.

There were 193,400 Albertans out of work and actively looking for employment in August.

Compared to the pre-pandemic benchmark of February 2020, employment in the province was down by 0.7% or 15,900 jobs.

Nationally, employment rose by 90,200 (0.5%) in August and the unemployment rate fell 0.4 percentage points to 7.1%. Employment was 156,200 (0.8%) below the February 2020 level.

Answer to the previous trivia question: There are currently 338 seats in the House of Commons.

Today’s trivia question (the second of a special non-partisan federal election series): Under renovation since 2018, what is the name of the building on Parliament Hill that includes the permanent chambers of the Senate and House of Commons?