Article content

Alberta’s employment picture was largely unchanged in January despite the loss of almost 25,000 full-time positions during the month, Statistics Canada said Friday.

Its latest labour force survey showed the loss of 24,300 full-time jobs was offset by a corresponding surge in part-time work. The province’s unemployment rate rose to 8.8 per cent in January, from 8.5 per cent a month earlier, as more people looked for work. Calgary’s unemployment rate fell to 9.8 per cent, from 10.1 per cent.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Alberta shed almost 25,000 jobs in January Back to video

“Because our province has spent most of the last two years in recession, we are now at the point where the year-over-year comparison shows little change,” ATB Financial said in a report.

“With stability in the energy sector and business confidence gradually improving this year, the job market is unlikely to show further deterioration. That is, the worst is over. On the other hand, employers may be hesitant to start hiring back too many workers — suggesting a few more difficult months ahead for job seekers.”