According to Statistics Canada’s latest labour force survey, Alberta created 15,000 new jobs in July, marking nine consecutive months of job growth for our province. In total, Alberta has now created 133,500 new jobs since 2021. Further, in July, Alberta’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.8 per cent. This means that for the first time since 2015, Alberta’s unemployment is lower than the Canadian average, which currently sits at 4.9 per cent.
The policies of our United Conservative government are working to create jobs and investments in communities like Drayton Valley - Devon. By introducing the job creation tax cut, cutting red tape, launching Alberta’s Recovery Plan, and creating initiatives like Alberta Jobs Now and Alberta at Work, we continue to do all we can to make Alberta the best place in the country live, work, play, start a business, and raise a family.
New numbers also show that Alberta’s entrepreneurial spirit is alive again, with a record 26,412 business incorporations in the first half of 2022. This is a very positive signal for our economy and our economic outlook.
Unlike the disastrous Notley NDP, who lost 200,000 jobs and billions of dollars in investment, our government’s policies are focused on creating jobs, incenting investment, and keeping taxes low for businesses and families. We are also working hard to help families fight inflation at this important time in our economic recovery.
As you may know, our government is extending the gas tax cut for gasoline, diesel, and farm fuel until at least the end of September. We are also extending the electricity rebate for an additional three months – providing $300 in rebates to over 1.9 million homes, farms, and small businesses. And, just this past week, we announced that we are expanding the Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit to more than 80 communities across Alberta – making rent more affordable for many Albertans who don’t qualify for traditional affordable housing programs.
To help us fight inflation, we continue to call on Ottawa to get their irresponsible spending under control and to scrap the federal carbon tax and the federal fuel tax. But the provincial initiatives outlined above coupled with our booming job market will certainly help make life more affordable.
Alberta’s tremendous job numbers aren’t just theoretical. These new jobs mean regular paycheques that everyday families can count on to buy groceries, pay hockey registration fees, and take vacations. You can see Alberta’s economic recovery taking shape across Drayton Valley – Devon with people going back to work in a wide variety of fields, industries, and sectors.
In every corner of the province and in all sectors of the economy, optimism is growing for the future – and our government is working tirelessly to make sure Albertans are going back to work and participating in this new Alberta Advantage.
— Mark Smith, MLA for Drayton Valley – Devon