Red Deer unemployment falls to 7.3% in August

Unemployment in the Red Deer region fell to 7.3% in August, down from 7.6% in July, according to Statistics Canada's three-month moving average released on 4 September.

Employment rose by about 700 jobs over the month, and the labour force grew by about 400. The participation rate climbed 0.3 points to 68.6%.

Where the jobs are

The strongest gains were in wholesale and retail trade, health care and social assistance, and business and building support services. Over the year, growth was led by health occupations, management roles, and trades and transport positions.

How the region compares

Alberta's rate was 6.8% and the national rate held at 6.4%. Red Deer still has the highest unemployment of the province's four measured regions, ahead of Edmonton (6.9%), Calgary (6.6%) and Lethbridge (5.6%).

Source: Red Deer Advocate, 4 September 2026, reporting Statistics Canada data.