Calgary's Job Market Navigates Uncertainty Amidst High Living Costs and Looming Tariffs

As winter settles over Calgary, the city's economic landscape presents a mixed picture for its workforce. According to the latest figures from November 2025, Calgary's unemployment rate stood at 7.3%, a point reflected consistently across various economic indicators. The Employment Insurance Economic Region of Calgary reported a similar rate of 7.4% for the period stretching into early January 2026, offering little immediate relief on the horizon. This contrasts with the broader provincial and national trends, where both Alberta and Canada recorded an unemployment rate of 6.5% in November 2025, suggesting a more localized challenge for our city's job seekers.

These statistics, readily available through the City of Calgary's Open Data Portal, provide a critical snapshot, last updated on November 28, 2025. However, raw numbers only tell part of the story for Calgarians. The reality on the ground is stark: basic necessities in our city are pricier than in any other major Canadian metropolis. This escalating cost of living has contributed to a widening poverty gap in recent years, with a reported living wage of $23.70 an hour as of November 2023, underscoring the deep impact of unemployment on household stability. The challenge isn't just finding a job, but finding one that pays enough to genuinely live here.

In response to these labour market needs, the provincial government launched the Alberta Jobs Strategy in September 2025. This ambitious initiative, backed by over $26 billion in capital investments over three years, aims to bolster the province's workforce by focusing on career readiness, dismantling employment barriers, fostering collaboration with employers, and actively promoting youth employment. It’s a comprehensive approach designed to strengthen the economic fabric from within.

Yet, even with concerted efforts, external forces cast a long shadow. Brad Parry, President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development, articulated these concerns back in February 2025, highlighting that our province was entering a period of economic uncertainty. He specifically pointed to the threat of looming tariffs from the United States, cautioning that "the details and exact impact of these tariffs remain unknown, these tariffs will threaten jobs and investment." These potential trade headwinds introduce an unpredictable element into Calgary’s economic forecast, complicating the city’s path to full employment and robust growth. The narrative for Calgary's economy, therefore, remains one of careful balancing – addressing internal challenges while bracing for global pressures.