ALBERTANS LOSE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FULL-TIME JOBS UNDER KENNEY, WHILE JOB GROWTH SURGES IN OTHER PROVINCES

CALGARY - Alberta lost 37,000 full-time jobs in June under the Kenney government as the unemployment rate increased to 9.3 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. Even with new part-time jobs, the province still lost jobs while Canada’s other large provinces posted major gains.

“As we kick off the Stampede, we move one step closer to a return to normal and even a sense of optimism,” said Kathleen Ganley, NDP MLA for Calgary-Mountain View. “But looking at these numbers, I am deeply concerned about Alberta’s future under Jason Kenney and the UCP. At a time when we should be adding jobs, we continue to move in the wrong direction and fall further behind the rest of the country.” 

The unemployment rate in Alberta continues to be higher for women than men. This week, Jason Kenney downgraded Status of Women in his cabinet to an associate ministry, and announced plans to cut the wages of nurses, who are overwhelmingly women.

Rachel Notley and Alberta’s NDP have presented bold ideas to drive job creation, including a commitment to creating at least 60,000 jobs by modernizing Alberta’s electricity grid to net-zero carbon emissions by 2035, and a province-wide net-zero goal by 2050.

“Instead of putting forward a new plan for jobs and an economic recovery, we see the UCP doubling down on their failed corporate handouts and attacks on frontline workers,” said Ganley. “It’s frustrating to see Alberta lose another month while BC, Ontario and Quebec surge ahead.

“The world economy is changing rapidly and we need a plan that prepares us for the future. One that supports working people, protects jobs, and diversifies our economy. We need to move towards the jobs of the future, and make Alberta the renewable energy powerhouse of North America.”