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Good news and bad news for Alberta’s economy – Metro US

Good news and bad news for Alberta’s economy

The good news is the Alberta unemployment rate, at 4.4 per cent, is among the lowest in the country.

The bad news is business owners don’t expect to be hiring at the same pace as last year. But, they will be hiring.

“There have been layoffs,” said Geoff Pradella of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

“We’ve heard about them and that’s part of the reality going on around us. But at the same time, there are companies that are hiring.”

Manpower Inc., which tracks unemployment statistics all over North America, said compared to places like Ontario — where the unemployment rate is now more than eight per cent — Alberta is in pretty good shape.

“I feel like we’re in a very good environment,” said Manpower CEO Randy Upright.

“Companies are at the very least holding on to their staff levels in anticipation of a turnaround in the global economy.”

The Manpower Inc. survey of Canadian business suggests there will be a “mild” pace of hiring between April and June of this year, with the possibility of an increased level of job creation after that.