Red Deer Economic Region Workforce Insights

July, 2026

Key Insights

  • Employment increased by 300 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 4,300 jobs compared to the same month last year.
  • Full-time Employment increased by 500 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 11,900 jobs year-over-year.
  • Part-time Employment decreased by 300 jobs from the previous month and increased by 7,600 jobs year-over-year.
  • Unemployment decreased by 300 people from the previous month and increased by 1,700 people compared to the same month last year.

Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment increased by 500 jobs from last month and decreased by 11,900 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment decreased by 300 jobs from last month and increased by 7,600 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 300 people from the previous month and increased by 1,700 people compared to last year.

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Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 3.1 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 1.4 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 2.3 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels increased by 300 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 4,300 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment increased by 300 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 4,300 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

  • Construction: 13,100 workers.
  • Manufacturing: 8,500 workers.
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 7,800 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, which together account for 93% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

  • Health care and social assistance: 18,000 workers.
  • Accommodation and food services: 13,600 workers.
  • Wholesale and retail trade: 13,400 workers.

In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Accommodation and food services, Wholesale and retail trade lead employment, representing 50.5% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 2,100 workers (increased by 18.26%).
  • Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing: Change of 1,000 workers (increased by 17.54%).
  • Business, building and other support services: Change of 900 workers (decreased by 16.67%).
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: Change of 800 workers (decreased by 9.3%).
  • Information, culture and recreation: Change of 700 workers (increased by 22.58%).

These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 7,200 workers (increased by 112.5%).
  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 6,600 workers (decreased by 33%).
  • Construction: Change of 4,400 workers (increased by 50.57%).
  • Manufacturing: Change of 3,900 workers (decreased by 31.45%).
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: Change of 3,500 workers (decreased by 30.97%).

The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.

Conclusion

Employment has seen a decline over the year, highlighting some challenges in the job market. Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Manufacturing, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance, Accommodation and food services.

Local Workforce Insights

May, 2026

Updated monthly, local monthly workforce trends focus on total employment, and employment and unemployment rates estimates at SLA level
Red Deer County SLA consists of the following communities: Alix, Bentley, Birchcliff, Blackfalds, Bowden, Clive, Delburne, Eckville, Elnora, Gull Lake, Half Moon Bay, Innisfail, Lacombe County, Parkland Beach, Penhold, Ponoka, Ponoka County, Red Deer County, Rimbey, Sunbreaker Cove.

Key Local Labour Market Insights

  • Total local employment stands at 42,430 in May 2026, it grew by 890 jobs from April and dropped by 180 jobs year-over-year.
  • The local employment rate is 60.3%. It grew by 1.3 percentage points from April and fell by 0.8 percentage points from same month last year.
  • Local unemployment rate reached 6.4%. It increased by 0.1 percentage points month-over-month, and increased by 0.5 percentage points year-over-year.

Employment Trends

Total employment in May 2026 was 42,430, showing a substantial increase of 890 from the previous month. From May last year, employment levels showed a decline of 180, showing weakness.

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Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 60.3% in May 2026. This represents a rise of 1.3 percentage points from April (59.0%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 0.8 percentage points from 61.1%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 6.4% in May 2026, up 0.1 percentage points from April. Compared to May last year (5.9%), the rate has increased by 0.5 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The weak correlation (-0.16) between regional and local employment levels indicates relatively independent employment patterns. This suggests that local employment dynamics are largely independent from regional trends.

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a weak correlation (-0.04) between regional and local levels. This suggests distinct local employment rate patterns, suggesting that local labor market conditions operate independently.

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of -0.28 shows a weak relationship. This points to distinct local unemployment dynamics, indicating that local unemployment follows its own distinct pattern.

Red Deer County SLA consists of the following communities: Alix, Bentley, Birchcliff, Blackfalds, Bowden, Clive, Delburne, Eckville, Elnora, Gull Lake, Half Moon Bay, Innisfail, Lacombe County, Parkland Beach, Penhold, Ponoka, Ponoka County, Red Deer County, Rimbey, Sunbreaker Cove.

Monthly Local Workforce Trends

May, 2026

Updated monthly, local monthly workforce trends focus on total employment, and employment and unemployment rates estimates at SLA level

Red Deer County SLA consists of the following communities: Alix, Bentley, Birchcliff, Blackfalds, Bowden, Clive, Delburne, Eckville, Elnora, Gull Lake, Half Moon Bay, Innisfail, Lacombe County, Parkland Beach, Penhold, Ponoka, Ponoka County, Red Deer County, Rimbey, Sunbreaker Cove.

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Local area

Employment Trends

Total employment in May 2026 was 42,430, showing a substantial increase of 890 from the previous month. From May last year, employment levels showed a decline of 180, showing weakness.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2026
Local area

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 60.3% in May 2026. This represents a rise of 1.3 percentage points from April (59.0%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 0.8 percentage points from 61.1%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 6.4% in May 2026, up 0.1 percentage points from April. Compared to May last year (5.9%), the rate has increased by 0.5 percentage points.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2026
Local area

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a weak correlation (-0.04) between regional and local levels. This suggests distinct local employment rate patterns, suggesting that local labor market conditions operate independently.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2026
Local area

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of -0.28 shows a weak relationship. This points to distinct local unemployment dynamics, indicating that local unemployment follows its own distinct pattern.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2026
Economic region

Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment increased by 500 jobs from last month and decreased by 11,900 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment decreased by 300 jobs from last month and increased by 7,600 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 300 people from the previous month and increased by 1,700 people compared to last year.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2026
Economic region

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 3.1 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 1.4 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 2.3 percentage points year-over-year.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2026
Economic region

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels increased by 300 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 4,300 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment increased by 300 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 4,300 jobs.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2026
Economic region

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

  • Construction: 13,100 workers.
  • Manufacturing: 8,500 workers.
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 7,800 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, which together account for 93% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

  • Health care and social assistance: 18,000 workers.
  • Accommodation and food services: 13,600 workers.
  • Wholesale and retail trade: 13,400 workers.

In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Accommodation and food services, Wholesale and retail trade lead employment, representing 50.5% of the sector's workforce.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2026
Economic region

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 2,100 workers (increased by 18.26%).
  • Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing: Change of 1,000 workers (increased by 17.54%).
  • Business, building and other support services: Change of 900 workers (decreased by 16.67%).
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: Change of 800 workers (decreased by 9.3%).
  • Information, culture and recreation: Change of 700 workers (increased by 22.58%).

These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2026
Economic region

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 7,200 workers (increased by 112.5%).
  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 6,600 workers (decreased by 33%).
  • Construction: Change of 4,400 workers (increased by 50.57%).
  • Manufacturing: Change of 3,900 workers (decreased by 31.45%).
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: Change of 3,500 workers (decreased by 30.97%).

The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2026
Economic region

Conclusion

Employment has seen a decline over the year, highlighting some challenges in the job market. Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Manufacturing, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance, Accommodation and food services.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2026

Employment rate Provincial Comparison

Among 65 small areas in Alberta, Red Deer County ranks 44th with an employment rate of 60.3%. The provincial range is 48.8% to 76.1%, with half of areas between 60.0% and 65.1% (median: 62.8%).

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2026

Unemployment rate Provincial Comparison

Among 65 small areas in Alberta, Red Deer County ranks 21st with an unemployment rate of 6.4%. The provincial range is 5.4% to 11.1%, with half of areas between 6.2% and 7.0% (median: 6.5%).

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey July, 2026

Recruitment and Retention

Remote Work as Incentive

Anticipated to work remotely

Recruitment, Retention and Training Plans

Recruitment, Retention and Training Plans

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (geography)

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (organization size)

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (organization type)

Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by business size

Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by organization type

Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by geography

Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated Work Arrangement in the Next Three Months

Anticipated Work Arrangement in the Next Three Months

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (geography)

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (organization size)

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (organization type)

Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months

Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated work arrangement - by business size

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated work arrangement - by organization type

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

Anticipated work arrangement - by geography

Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions