Provincial Employment Potential Information

The following table identifies employment conditions within Alberta.

Labour Market Bulletins

An analysis of the local labour market and an assessment of local employment-related events.

• May 2013 | (PDF, 240 KB)
• April 2013 | (PDF, 294 KB)
• March 2013 | (PDF, 437 KB)
• February 2013 | (PDF, 241 KB)
• January 2013 | (PDF, 435 KB)
• Annual Edition 2012 | (PDF, 227 KB)

Provincial / Territorial Labour Market News

Week of Jun 03 – Jun 07, 2013

• The Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada, in a new report, estimates that the oilsands sector will require up to 22,000 new employees by 2022
• The Government of Alberta is investing $68M to develop 920 new supportive living spaces in various communities across the province
• MasTec Inc., from Florida, has acquired Big Country Energy Services Inc., headquartered in Calgary, and its affiliated operating companies. MasTec plans to expand its operations to take advantage of increased energy infrastructure work in North America.
• The Government of Alberta is investing $50M in 2013 to support the development of 24 Family Care Clinics in communities across the province
• Construction is underway for the new secondary school in Bawlf; it is expected to open in 2014.
• Pederson Transport has ceased operations in Claresholm, resulting in job loss for approximately 12 employees. Tranforce Inc., the parent company, has closed the local office and terminal, and relocated the operations to Calgary.
• Go Auto has purchased three new dealerships in Red Deer. The company is also adding a used vehicle reconditioning centre in Red Deer, and plans to hire up to 50 new employees over the next year.
• The Waterford of Summerlea, in Edmonton, is eliminating the jobs for 21 licensed practical nurses and health care aides following the expiration of contracts with Alberta Health Services
• Penn West Petroleum Ltd. has announced that it will be laying off approximately 210 employees over the next several weeks as it re-organizes its operations

Week of May 27 – May 31, 2013

• TELUS is investing $700M in new infrastructure and facilities across Alberta in 2013
• The Calgary Gas & Oil Expo 2013 is expected to draw over 20,000 energy professionals and 600 exhibitors to the city. The show runs from June 11 to June 13 at Stampede Park.
• Construction is underway on the $23M Bethel Transit Terminal in Strathcona County. The new terminal, the largest in Alberta, is scheduled to open in December 2013.
• Norquest College is cutting 50 staff and decreasing enrolment across its campuses in Edmonton, Westlock, Whitecourt and Drayton Valley. The layoffs comprise approximately 30 non-academic staff and 20 teaching positions.
• Mount Royal University, located in Calgary, is suspending eight academic programs and eliminating 63 full-time jobs due to funding shortfalls. Of the job cuts, 29 were vacant positions.
• Heartland Ford in Fort Saskatchewan has broken ground on a new, expanded dealership scheduled to open in early 2014. The company expects to double its staff numbers, employing up to 100, at the new location.
• Shell Canada has received approval from the Energy Resources Conservation Board to construct two pipelines and a gas well battery in the Beaver Mines area

Week of May 20 – May 24, 2013

• Biorefinex Canada Ltd. plans to begin construction of a $32M bio refinery in Lacombe by the fall of 2013. The plant is expected to be operational in 2014 and employ up to 30 full-time staff.
• Greys Paper Recycling Industries has opened a $20M recycling facility at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre and is planning to hire an additional 45 employees by mid-June 2014
• The Best Western Plus Mountainview Inn & Suites in Sundre opened on May 1, 2013. Staff are currently being hired for the 80-room hotel.
• Points West Living is opening a 104-unit seniors facility in Stettler in July 2013. Points West is currently recruiting 100 employees for the facility.
• Representatives from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo were on a recruiting drive in Toronto and Halifax in an attempt to fill 100 positions
• The new Fort McMurray Airport, scheduled to open in June 2014, will feature 18 food and beverage operators, including a Boston Pizza and Earls Restaurant
• ArborCare Tree Services, of Calgary, has been awarded a $1.2M contract for tree trimming by the City of Lethbridge
• Pteragen Canada Inc. has received regulatory approval for a $200M wind farm near Seven Persons
• Parks Canada is spending $1M to upgrade bridges in Jasper National Park

Week of May 13 – May 17, 2013

• Palliative home care nurses in Calgary facing layoffs
• Red Deer College has reduced its staff by 32 full-time equivalent positions due to a funding shortfall
• Dawson Wallace Construction Ltd. will be managing the $26M addition to the Lethbridge Police station. Construction is slated to begin in 2013 and be complete by 2015.
• The Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education is cutting 10 teaching positions in 2013-14 due to budget constraints and declining student enrolment
• Birchcliff Energy Ltd. is increasing it's exploration and development budget for northwestern Alberta to $247M in response to higher natural gas prices
• Air Products is planning to build a new hydrogen manufacturing facility in Strathcona County