Red Deer Economic Region Workforce Insights

June, 2026

Key Insights

  • Employment decreased by 1,400 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 5,200 jobs compared to the same month last year.
  • Full-time Employment decreased by 3,800 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 12,100 jobs year-over-year.
  • Part-time Employment increased by 2,400 jobs from the previous month and increased by 7,000 jobs year-over-year.
  • Unemployment decreased by 600 people from the previous month and increased by 1,500 people compared to the same month last year.

Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 3,800 jobs from last month and decreased by 12,100 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment increased by 2,400 jobs from last month and increased by 7,000 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 600 people from the previous month and increased by 1,500 people compared to last year.

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Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 3.6 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 1.3 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 2.8 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels decreased by 1,400 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 5,200 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment decreased by 1,400 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 5,200 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

  • Construction: 13,600 workers.
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 8,600 workers.
  • Manufacturing: 8,400 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, Manufacturing, which together account for 92.2% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

  • Health care and social assistance: 17,600 workers.
  • Wholesale and retail trade: 13,100 workers.
  • Accommodation and food services: 11,500 workers.

In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Accommodation and food services lead employment, representing 48.5% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: Change of 2,000 workers (decreased by 18.87%).
  • Educational services: Change of 1,300 workers (decreased by 12.5%).
  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 1,200 workers (decreased by 8.39%).
  • Health care and social assistance: Change of 1,000 workers (increased by 6.02%).
  • Other services (except public administration): Change of 900 workers (increased by 20%).

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

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 6,700 workers (decreased by 33.84%).
  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 5,600 workers (increased by 94.92%).
  • Construction: Change of 5,000 workers (increased by 58.14%).
  • Manufacturing: Change of 3,800 workers (decreased by 31.15%).
  • Business, building and other support services: Change of 2,500 workers (increased by 86.21%).

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, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance, Accommodation and food services.

Local Workforce Insights

April, 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 is 41,540 in April 2026, it showed a decline of 330 jobs from March and showed a decline of 220 jobs year-over-year.
  • The local employment rate stands at 59.0%. It declined by 0.5 percentage points from March and decreased by 0.9 percentage points from same month last year.
  • Local unemployment rate registered 6.3%. It rose by 0.2 percentage points month-over-month, and grew by 0.1 percentage points year-over-year.

Employment Trends

Total employment in April 2026 was 41,540, showing a modest decrease of 330 from the previous month. Relative to April last year, employment levels decreased by 220, showing strain.

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Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 59.0% in April 2026. This represents a decline of 0.5 percentage points from March (59.5%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 0.9 percentage points from 59.9%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 6.3% in April 2026, up 0.2 percentage points from March. Compared to April last year (6.2%), the rate has increased by 0.1 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The weak correlation (-0.21) 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 (-0.06) 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 -0.22 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

April, 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 April 2026 was 41,540, showing a modest decrease of 330 from the previous month. Relative to April last year, employment levels decreased by 220, showing strain.

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

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 59.0% in April 2026. This represents a decline of 0.5 percentage points from March (59.5%). Year-over-year, the rate decreased by 0.9 percentage points from 59.9%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 6.3% in April 2026, up 0.2 percentage points from March. Compared to April last year (6.2%), the rate has increased by 0.1 percentage points.

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

Employment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

Employment rates show a weak correlation (-0.06) 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 June, 2026
Local area

Unemployment Rate: Regional vs Local Patterns

The unemployment rate correlation of -0.22 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 June, 2026
Economic region

Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 3,800 jobs from last month and decreased by 12,100 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment increased by 2,400 jobs from last month and increased by 7,000 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 600 people from the previous month and increased by 1,500 people compared to last year.

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

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 3.6 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 1.3 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 2.8 percentage points year-over-year.

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

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels decreased by 1,400 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 5,200 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment decreased by 1,400 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 5,200 jobs.

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

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

  • Construction: 13,600 workers.
  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 8,600 workers.
  • Manufacturing: 8,400 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, Manufacturing, which together account for 92.2% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

  • Health care and social assistance: 17,600 workers.
  • Wholesale and retail trade: 13,100 workers.
  • Accommodation and food services: 11,500 workers.

In the Services sector, Health care and social assistance, Wholesale and retail trade, Accommodation and food services lead employment, representing 48.5% of the sector's workforce.

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

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

  • Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: Change of 2,000 workers (decreased by 18.87%).
  • Educational services: Change of 1,300 workers (decreased by 12.5%).
  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 1,200 workers (decreased by 8.39%).
  • Health care and social assistance: Change of 1,000 workers (increased by 6.02%).
  • Other services (except public administration): Change of 900 workers (increased by 20%).

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

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

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 6,700 workers (decreased by 33.84%).
  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 5,600 workers (increased by 94.92%).
  • Construction: Change of 5,000 workers (increased by 58.14%).
  • Manufacturing: Change of 3,800 workers (decreased by 31.15%).
  • Business, building and other support services: Change of 2,500 workers (increased by 86.21%).

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 June, 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, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance, Accommodation and food services.

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

Employment rate Provincial Comparison

Among 65 small areas in Alberta, Red Deer County ranks 44th with an employment rate of 59.0%. The provincial range is 46.9% to 74.5%, with half of areas between 58.6% and 63.7% (median: 61.5%).

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

Unemployment rate Provincial Comparison

Among 65 small areas in Alberta, Red Deer County ranks 18th with an unemployment rate of 6.3%. The provincial range is 5.3% to 12.8%, with half of areas between 6.2% and 7.4% (median: 6.5%).

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey June, 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