Seasonally-adjusted employment in Alberta was 4% higher in July 2022 than in February 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic was declared.

Some sectors, however, still haven’t caught up.

Employment in Alberta’s primary agriculture sector was 26% lower in July 2022 than in February 2020 (-12,500 positions) while manufacturing employment in the province was down by 14% (-19,400).

Among services-producing industries, accommodation and food services sector employment was still off by 10% (-14,800) while information, culture and recreation employment remained 4% (-3,400) below its pre-pandemic level.

Sectors in Alberta that have posted strong increases in employment relative to before the pandemic include finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing (+20% or 19,800 positions), professional, scientific and technical services (+14% or 25,900 positions) and wholesale and retail trade (+13% or 42,500 positions).

While the overall increase in employment and the strong growth in specific sectors is positive, the negative effects of the pandemic on employment continue to linger in several key industries.

Answer to the previous trivia question: At 3,747 metres, the top of Mount Columbia is the highest point in Alberta.

Today’s trivia question: August 8 is the national day of _______?