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Unemployment dropped in Calgary and Alberta in May, even though the national rate remained unchanged.

Calgary’s unemployment rate went down slightly from eight to 7.7 per cent, according to Statistics Canada on Friday. Edmonton also experienced a dip from 6.6 to 6.5 per cent.

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Alberta’s jobless rate declined from 6.7 to 6.2 per cent.

The province was one of five to record a small drop in unemployment, despite the national economy losing 7,500 jobs in May as a drop in full-time employment was only partially offset by an increase in part-time jobs.

The agency reported the dip as the national unemployment rate held steady at 5.8 per cent for the fourth consecutive month.

The overall drop in the number of jobs came as full-time jobs fell by 31,000, offset in part by a gain of 23,600 part-time positions.

The health care and social assistance sector lost 24,000 jobs, while the manufacturing sector lost 18,000. Employment in construction fell 13,000.