Alberta
Alberta has a very strong labour market. While the global recession has resulted in increases in unemployment, Alberta’s unemployment rate has been on of the three lowest of all the provinces in Canada since 2001.
Since 2001, Alberta employment has grown an average of 2.5% per year (or 46,350 new jobs per year). In 2011, Alberta added 77,600 jobs.
Sources: Highlights of the Alberta Economy, AlbertaCanada.com (2012)
Demographic Snapshot (2011)
Hanna has a population of almost 3,000 and is a regional service centre for a trading area of over 10,000 people. Similar to many rural communities in Alberta, the population has been relatively steady over the past 5 years.
Hanna’s median age is 44 years, slightly higher than the Alberta average of 36.
There are 1,317 private households in Hanna. Median family income is $61,064.
Income & Expenditures
| Family Income Characteristics | Hanna | Alberta |
| Median Family Income (All Families) | $83,650 | $93,393 |
| Median Family Income (Couple Families) | $83,130 | $85,508 |
| Source: Statistics Canada 2013 National Household Survey | ||
Labour Force By Industry
| All Industries | 1,410 |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 25 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 215 |
| Utilities | 145 |
| Construction | 120 |
| Manufacturing | 0 |
| Wholesale Trade | 20 |
| Retail Trade | 245 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 20 |
| Information and Cultural Industries | 15 |
| Finance and Insurance | 35 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 10 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 40 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 0 |
| Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services | 35 |
| Educational Services | 110 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 185 |
| Arts, Entertainment and Recreation | 20 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 60 |
| Other Services (Except Public Administration) | 45 |
| Public Administration | 50 |
| Source: NHS, Statistics Canada (2011) |
Unemployment
In 2011, Hanna’s unemployment rate was 4.6%, below the provincial average of 5.8%. This indicates that there are many job opportunities in the Hanna area.
This is promising to residents but this may present challenges for small and medium-siozed businesses. A lower unemployment rate can increase competition among employers for competent staff, creating additional costs fin attracting, training and retaining employees. It may also increase local inflation.
Educational Attainment
| 2011 (15 yrs of age and older) | % |
| No certificate diploma or degree | 25% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 28% |
| Apprenticeship or trades or non-university | 35% |
| University certificate, diploma or degree | 12% |
| Source: Statistics Canada 2011 Census of Population | |
Labour Force by Major Occupational Groups
Source: Statistics Canada 2006 & 2011 Census
Wages
The federal government has a mandatory pension plan and an employment insurance program funded by both employers and employees.
The annual Premium Rate (for employer ) Per Employee Per $100 Of Insurable Earnings Employment Insurance (EI): $2.63
Canada Pension Plan (CPP): $4.95
Workers Compensation Board (WCB): Average of $1.12
Average starting wages in most industries are lower in east central Alberta than the provincial average.
| Industry | Avg. Wage | Industry | Avg. Wage |
| Agriculture | $18.66 | Information, Culture, Recreation | $15.54 |
| Mining, Oil and Gas | $29.72 | Finance, Insurance, Real Estate | $22.42 |
| utilities | $35.92 | Professional, Scientific, Technical | $32.03 |
| Construction | $26.77 | Educational Services | $25.41 |
| Manufacturing | $26.85 | Health Care, Social Assistance | $27.08 |
| Wholesale Trade | $23.91 | Accommodation and Food Services | $11.64 |
| Retail Trade | $16.45 | Public Administration | $33.73 |
| Transportation & Warehousing | $24.29 | Other Services | $22.70 |
Source: 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey for the Camrose-Drumheller region which includes Hanna. See www.alis.gov.ab.ca. Current results may vary.