Calgary's labour market is showing real signs of life, with the unemployment rate dropping to 6.8 per cent in July—a meaningful decline from 7.1 per cent the month before. While the city still lags behind Canada's national rate of 6.4 per cent, employment experts are increasingly confident about what lies ahead.
The numbers tell a compelling story. According to Statistics Canada and the City of Calgary's latest labour market review, the region added 56,900 jobs year-over-year, with a particularly strong showing in full-time positions—16,600 new jobs last month alone.
Why Full-Time Jobs Matter
"When companies are investing in full-time staff, they're sending a signal that they believe in the economy's future," says Brad Parry, president and CEO of Calgary Economic Development. "They're not just hiring contract workers or temporary help. They're committing resources for the long haul."
"People are starting to gear up for those bigger opportunities later on down the line," Parry explained, pointing to rising oil prices and the memorandum of understanding signed between provincial and federal governments as key confidence drivers.
Healthcare and Beyond
Healthcare and social assistance sectors are leading the charge, with 22,800 new positions added—including physician offices, dental practices, out-patient care centres, diagnostic labs, and home health care services. But the growth isn't limited to one industry.
Career counsellor Ariel Hennig Wood from Canada Career Counselling notes that Calgary's job market is diversifying in ways unseen for over a decade. "We're seeing growth in different industries than maybe we had 10 years ago," she told CBC Radio's Calgary Eyeopener. "It's an interesting market moment for job seekers."
Still Room for Improvement
Despite the positive momentum, Calgary's unemployment rate remains second-highest among Canada's major cities—only Edmonton sits higher. The gap between Calgary and the national average suggests the region still has catching up to do as economic recovery continues.
Energy sector confidence, buoyed by current oil prices, appears to be the primary driver of this employment surge. With companies banking on sustained investment opportunities, Calgary's workforce is positioned to benefit from what economists describe as a turning point after years of volatility.
This article is based on reporting from CBC Calgary and Statistics Canada labour force data for July 2026.