Red Deer unemployment rate up to 7.4 per cent in June

Published 1:00 pm Saturday, July 11, 2026

The Red Deer region’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate rose to 7.4 per cent in June, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Friday, July 10.

This increase marked a 0.8 percentage-point increase from the month prior, based on the three-month moving average. Red Deer’s unemployment dropped by about 100 jobs from May to June, while the labour force grew by 400, resulting in the unemployment rate rising.

Statistics Canada provides seasonally-adjusted unemployment rates for four Alberta regions: Red Deer, Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge. Of these regions, Red Deer had the highest unemployment rate. Lethbridge’s was a lowest at 5.5 per cent, while Calgary’s was 7.1 per cent and Edmonton’s was 7.2 per cent.

Alberta’s unemployment rate was tied for the fourth-highest in Canada with Ontario. The national unemployment rate at 6.5 per cent was 0.1 percentage points lower than the previous month.

In June 2026, the labour force increased by 20,200 to 2,878,500. The number of labour force participants increased among 15- to 24-year-olds (up 11,700) and 25- to 54-year-olds (up 18,000) and decreased for people aged 55 years and over (down 9,500).

Month-over-month, employment increased by 6,800. Employment grew for 15- to 24-year-olds and 25- to 54-year-olds and fell among people aged 55 years and over.

Month-over-month, employment increased in the private sector (up 12,200) and decreased in the public sector (down 4,100) and among the self-employed (down 1,500). On a year-over-year basis, private sector employment grew by 55,900 and public sector employment increased by 19,500.

In June, employment rose in nine out of 16 industries compared to the previous month. The industries with the most employment gains were: wholesale and retail trade; construction; and other services (except public administration).

On a year-over-year basis, employment increased the most in: health occupations; trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations; and sales and service occupations.