Alberta gained more jobs last month than any other province. Statistics Canada released its September 2025 Labour Force Survey on Friday, which showed employment in Alberta increasing by 43,000 jobs, a 1.7 per cent jump from the month prior. The gains more than offset declines recorded in July and August. According to the report, Alberta saw employment increases in manufacturing (7,900 jobs) and agriculture (4,500 jobs). Alberta’s September unemployment rate, meanwhile, dropped 0.6 percentage points from August to sit at 7.8 per cent, leaving it little changed from the year before (7.5 per cent.) Though Alberta saw a notable drop in unemployment, its rate was still higher than the national rate of 7.1 per cent. Unemployment in Alberta cities Edmonton’s unemployment rate was little changed in September, sitting at 8.7 per cent compared to 8.5 per cent in August. Calgary saw a slight increase in unemployment, climbing to 8.1 per cent from 7.7 per cent the month before. “Calgary’s labour force continues to expand, with more people entering the job market even as employment gains moderate,” said Afiba Nyamekye from Calgary Economic Development. “September jobs data also signals cautious hiring amid ongoing trade uncertainty and global economic headwinds, particularly in sectors sensitive to market shifts.” The greatest movement was seen in Lethbridge, which recorded a jump in its jobless rate of more than a full percentage point, spiking to 8.2 per cent from 6.7 per cent. Red Deer also saw its unemployment rate increase in September, sitting at 7.5 per cent compared to 6.7 the month prior.
