{"id":76818,"date":"2026-08-07T12:02:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T12:02:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/2026\/08\/07\/posthaste-alberta-leads-the-rest-of-canada-in-creating-jobs-just-not-for-the-reason-you-think\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T12:02:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T12:02:11","slug":"posthaste-alberta-leads-the-rest-of-canada-in-creating-jobs-just-not-for-the-reason-you-think","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/2026\/08\/07\/posthaste-alberta-leads-the-rest-of-canada-in-creating-jobs-just-not-for-the-reason-you-think\/","title":{"rendered":"Posthaste: Alberta leads the rest of Canada in creating jobs, just not for the reason you think"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> \n<br \/><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Trump\u2019s forced\u00a0labour\u00a0tariffs: Why Canada is on the list\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tmqc5-pnigU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" data-has-syndication-rights=\"1\" data-license-id=\"\" data-portal-copyright=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/fp-posthaste-LOGO-01132023.jpg\" title=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p> Alberta is Canada\u2019s job creation star so far this year, but no thanks to the energy sector, says a new report from Royal Bank of Canada . <\/p>\n<p> The province had added nearly 79,000 more jobs as of June 2026 compared to a year ago, \u201cbut (its) traditional growth driver \u2014 the energy sector \u2014 has not been behind the increase,\u201d Salim Zanzana, an economist at RBC, said in the report on Thursday. <\/p>\n<p> Oilpatch hiring \u201cremains largely unchanged\u201d despite robust oil production and export demand, he said. <\/p>\n<p> Instead, health care, social assistance and public administration accounted for the gains, with full-time jobs outpacing part-time roles 58,500 to 20,100. <\/p>\n<p> Alberta has sped ahead of the rest of the country, with job growth up three per cent year over year so far outpacing all the other provinces except Prince Edward Island. <\/p>\n<p> Ontario was the only other province to log in \u201cnotable job gains\u201d \u2014 65,600 \u2014 though the year-over-year increase of 0.8 per cent paled against Alberta\u2019s three per cent, Zanzana said. Otherwise, job growth was largely stagnant in several provinces, with labour markets contracting in Quebec and British Columbia. <\/p>\n<p> Demographics are driving Alberta\u2019s job creation juggernaut, the RBC economist said. <\/p>\n<p> The province\u2019s population grew by more than 570,000 between the second quarter of 2022 and the second quarter of 2026 \u2014 a 13 per cent gain. As of the first quarter of this year, it was one of only three provinces to record growth, while the populations in six others, including Ontario and Quebec, shrank. <\/p>\n<p> That population burst resulted in a significantly higher increase in demand for health-care services. <\/p>\n<p> Growth in that area of Alberta\u2019s workforce trailed demand from 2022 to 2025 as the number of workers per capita in the sector declined. Zanzana said the province has since caught up and now has the highest number of health-care and social-assistance workers per 1,000 people compared with British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario. <\/p>\n<p> Despite strong job creation, Alberta\u2019s unemployment rate is still \u201celevated,\u201d hovering in the 6.5 per cent to seven per cent range recently after rising above eight per cent last August. Zanzana said he expects the jobless rate will continue to come down as population growth slows. <\/p>\n<p> Net international immigration to Alberta turned negative in the first quarter of 2026 for the first time since the third quarter of 2020, and Zanzana said RBC has noted a slowdown in Canadians moving to Alberta from other provinces such as B.C. and Ontario. <\/p>\n<p> As for the energy sector, it\u2019s unclear whether the job creation picture will shift gears anytime soon. <\/p>\n<p> \u201cAdvances in technology, automation and operational efficiency have enabled energy producers to expand and improve output without having to add jobs as in the past,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n<ul class=\"related_links\">\n<li>Posthaste: China helped save the world from an even worse oil price shock, TD economist says<\/li>\n<li>Posthaste: 57% of Canadians prefer to keep their finances completely or mostly separate from their partner, survey finds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p> <em><strong> Sign up here to get Posthaste delivered straight to your inbox.<\/strong><\/em> <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p> <strong><br \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1758646\" height=\"114\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/subhead_leading.png\" width=\"838\" \/><\/strong> <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" data-has-syndication-rights=\"1\" data-license-id=\"\" data-portal-copyright=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Toronto-listings-July-2026.png\" title=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<section class=\"story-v2-content-element article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--story\">\n<div class=\"story-v2-content-element-inline\">\n<section class=\"story-v2-content-element article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--story\">\n<div class=\"story-v2-content-element-inline\">\n<p>The Toronto housing market tightened further in July as new listings fell at a faster pace than home sales, leaving buyers with fewer homes to choose from and increasing competition for properties.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"story-v2-content-element article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--story\">\n<div class=\"story-v2-content-element-inline\">\n<p>According to the latest results from the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB), home sales slipped 0.9 per cent from a year earlier to 5,995 in July, while the number of new listings fell 17.8 per cent to 14,484.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"story-v2-content-element article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--story\">\n<div class=\"visually-hidden\">While the data indicates fewer listings, real estate agents say buyers remain selective and the shift toward constrained supply has not been felt evenly across all property types.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>In July, the condo market remained better supplied than the detached home market. Condos accounted for 8,352 active listings and 1,564 sales, compared with 12,154 active detached listings and 2,789 sales. \u2014 <em>Shantae Campbell, Financial Post<\/em><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"story-v2-content-element-inline\"><\/div>\n<div>Read the full story here.<\/div>\n<section class=\"story-v2-content-element article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--story\">\n<div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"story-v2-content-element article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--story\">\n<div class=\"story-v2-content-element-inline\">\n<hr \/><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"story-v2-content-element article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--story\">\n<div class=\"story-v2-content-element-inline\"><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" data-has-syndication-rights=\"1\" data-license-id=\"\" data-portal-copyright=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/subhead-1.jpg\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Today\u2019s Data<\/strong>: Statistics Canada releases job numbers for July. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also releases July job numbers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Earnings: <\/strong>Slate Grocery REIT, Ensign Energy Services Inc., Emera Inc., MDA Space Ltd., Algonquin Power and Utilities Co., Docebo Inc., Fiera Capital Corp., Algoma Central Corp., Canopy Growth Corp., DRI Healthcare Trust, Wendy\u2019s Co., Skechers USA Inc., Xerox Corp., Trulieve Cannabis Corp.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3080180\" height=\"114\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/subhead_marketsam.jpeg\" width=\"838\" \/> <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" data-has-syndication-rights=\"1\" data-license-id=\"\" data-portal-copyright=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/chart-0807.jpg\" title=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<figure class=\"embedded-image\"><\/figure>\n<hr \/>\n<p> <strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3080181\" height=\"114\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/subhead_reads.jpeg\" width=\"838\" \/><\/strong> <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Suncor CEO Rich Kruger stepping down in 2027<\/li>\n<li>Why Canada and Belgium are only scratching the surface when it comes to trade<\/li>\n<li>Burger King dethrones Tim Hortons as sales growth slows at parent RBI<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2059284\" height=\"114\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/subhead_personal_finance_2.png\" width=\"838\" \/> <\/p>\n<p> Katie is looking for financial advice on how to make her money work smarter so she can achieve her goals. First, she would like to know how to invest $30,000 to earn the best returns before she buys a new van in six months. At the same time, she\u2019s wondering if it makes sense to hire an adviser to set a plan in motion for the family\u2019s TFSA, RRSP and other accounts. Find out what FP Answers has to say. <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p> <span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" data-has-syndication-rights=\"1\" data-license-id=\"\" data-portal-copyright=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/FP-West-Energy-Insider-Logo.png\" title=\"\" \/> Interested in energy? The subscriber-only FP West: Energy Insider newsletter brings you exclusive reporting and in-depth analysis on one of the country\u2019s most important sectors. Sign up here. <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\">Are you worried about having enough for retirement? Do you need to adjust your portfolio? Are you starting out or making a change and wondering how to build wealth? Are you trying to make ends meet? Drop us a line at wealth@postmedia.com<span><\/span><span> with your contact info and the gist of your problem and we\u2019ll find some experts to help you out while writing a Family Finance story about it (we\u2019ll keep your name out of it, of course).<\/span><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>McLister on mortgages<\/h2>\n<p> Want to learn more about mortgages? Mortgage strategist Robert McLister\u2019s Financial Post column  can help navigate the complex sector, from the latest trends to financing opportunities you won\u2019t want to miss. Plus check his mortgage rate page for Canada\u2019s lowest national mortgage rates, updated daily. <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Financial Post on YouTube<\/h2>\n<p> Visit the Financial Post\u2019s YouTube channel for interviews with Canada\u2019s leading experts in business, economics, housing, the energy sector and more. <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p> <em>Today\u2019s Posthaste was written by Gigi Suhanic with additional reporting from Financial Post staff and Bloomberg.<\/em> <\/p>\n<p> Have a story idea, pitch, embargoed report, or a suggestion for this newsletter? Email us at posthaste@postmedia.com . <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p> <em><strong>Bookmark our website and support our journalism:<\/strong> Don\u2019t miss the business news you need to know \u2014 add financialpost.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here<\/em> <\/p>\n<p><\/img><br \/>\n<br \/>\n<br \/>Posthaste: Alberta leads the rest of Canada in creating jobs, just not for the reason you think<\/a><br \/>\n<br \/>2026-08-07 12:02:11<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Alberta is Canada\u2019s job creation star so far this year, but no thanks to the energy sector, says a new report from Royal Bank of Canada . The province had&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":76819,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-76818","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-economy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76818"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76818\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/76819"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=76818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=76818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}