Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 1,200 jobs from last month and decreased by 8,800 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment decreased by 300 jobs from last month and decreased by 1,900 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 700 people from the previous month and increased by 1,100 people compared to last year.

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 6.3 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate increased by 1.5 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 5.7 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels decreased by 1,500 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 10,600 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment decreased by 1,500 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has decreased by 10,600 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

• Construction: 9,200 workers.
• Manufacturing: 7,300 workers.
• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: 6,900 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas, which together account for 81% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

• Wholesale and retail trade: 15,200 workers.
• Health care and social assistance: 13,100 workers.
• Other services (except public administration): 8,500 workers.

In the Services sector, Wholesale and retail trade, Health care and social assistance, Other services (except public administration) lead employment, representing 51% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: Change of 1,600 workers (decreased by 18.82%).
• Construction: Change of 1,400 workers (decreased by 13.21%).
• Accommodation and food services: Change of 1,100 workers (increased by 29.73%).
• Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing: Change of 800 workers (decreased by 12.12%).
• Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 500 workers (increased by 3.4%).
• Public administration: Change of 500 workers (increased by 8.62%).

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

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

• Agriculture: Change of 7,300 workers (decreased by 57.03%).
• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: Change of 2,800 workers (decreased by 28.87%).
• Manufacturing: Change of 2,700 workers (increased by 58.7%).
• Construction: Change of 2,600 workers (increased by 39.39%).
• Accommodation and food services: Change of 2,000 workers (decreased by 29.41%).

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, Health care and social assistance, Other services (except public administration).

Employment Trends

Total employment in February 2026 was 5,680, showing a moderate decrease of 30 from the previous month. Compared to February last year, employment levels grew by 310, demonstrating resilience.

Employment Rate Dynamics

The employment rate reached 58.7% in February 2026. This represents a decline of 0.3 percentage points from January (59.0%). Year-over-year, the rate improved by 2.7 percentage points from 56.0%.

Unemployment Rate Trends

The unemployment rate was 5.8% in February 2026, up 0.7 percentage points from January. Compared to February last year (6.4%), the rate has decreased by 0.6 percentage points.

Employment: Regional vs Local Patterns

The weak correlation (0.04) 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 (0.07) 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.

Kneehill County SLA consists of the following communities: Acme, Carbon, Kneehill County, Linden, Three Hills, Trochu.