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The unemployment rate for the Calgary region hit its highest level in nearly four years in June as 3,200 jobs were shed, according to information released Friday by Statistics Canada.

The federal agency reported the rate rose to 5.9 per cent last month, from 5.5 per cent in May. That’s the Calgary area’s highest rate since September 2011, when the rate was six per cent.

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Employment was down 0.4 per cent from the previous month. However, it rose 3.8 per cent, or 30,000 positions, on a year-over-year basis.

“(Friday’s) results reflect what we’re hearing from employers about the job losses due to the economic slowdown. So it’s not a big surprise right now. I don’t think we’re done yet,” said Jeanette Sutherland, manager of workforce and productivity with Calgary Economic Development.

Sutherland said Calgary’s population continues to increase, which is a reason for the higher unemployment rate. However, of the six major census metropolitan areas in Canada, Calgary has the lowest unemployment rate and the highest participation rate.

Sutherland said the city has also created 15,000 jobs in the first six months of the year which is a positive sign. Full-time jobs have increased by 1.3 per cent and part-time jobs decreased 2.8 per cent.