Calgary job rate decreases, bucking national trend
CFCNplus.ca
POSTED AT 6:43 PM Friday, December 7
The facts are in and they show that the slowdown in Canada's economy is hurting the job market in most of the country, but not in Calgary.
According to Statistics Canada, the country's jobless rate went up to 7.5 per cent last month.
The figures show that there were more part-time jobs created, over 42,000 of them, than full time jobs, which fell by over 56,000. Full time jobs are considered a better measure of the state of an economy.
Transportation and manufacturing jobs, including computer and electronic equipment, have been hit hard by the downturn in the economy, according to Statistics Canada.
Calgary's jobless rate, however, fell last month from 4.6 per cent to 4.3 per cent.
The economy took a hit following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States. It's been sluggish since then, but in Calgary businesses have rebounded more quickly than in the rest of Canada.
Economics professor Frank Atkins said the oil industry helps boost the job market in Calgary. He said it's a field that is expected to grow in the future.
"As the U.S. pulls itself out of the mess it's in, the demand for oil and gas will go up and buoy up the world price for oil, which is really good for Calgary," said Atkins.
Some temporary employment agencies are having a tough time finding enough people for work opportunities.
Ilona Braun of Hunt Personnel said good people are getting snatched up quickly for full time jobs.
"When somebody has good skills and good attitudes, they are the first that are going to be grabbed up on more permanent commitments," Braun told CFCN News.