41,800 full time jobs added in January
New data released by StatsCanada shows Alberta led Canada in job growth in January 2026.
Key messages:
- Once again, Alberta led Canada’s job growth with 41,800 full time jobs added in January 2026.
- Investor confidence in Alberta remains strong as we maintain the lowest corporate taxes and continually cut unnecessary red tape.
- We are proud of the economic momentum, adding nearly 100,000 full time jobs year over year.
- Our government is focused on attracting the investment that creates jobs for Albertans and their families across the province.
- Despite economic uncertainty, Alberta remains the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
Key facts:
- Alberta had a net gain of 20,100 jobs in January 2026.
- This includes an increase of 41,800 full time jobs and a decrease of 21,400 part time jobs.
- Canada lost 25,000 jobs in January 2026, with biggest impacts coming out of Ontario (-67,000), Alberta (+20,300), Saskatchewan (+6,100), and Newfoundland and Labrador (+3,800).
- Alberta’s unemployment rate dropped from 6.7 per cent in December 2025 to 6.4 per cent in January 2026, which is 0.1 per cent lower than the national rate.
- Youth unemployment dropped, now sitting at 14.1 per cent, which is 0.4 per cent lower than last month.
- The biggest gains for employment are from construction (+9,200), finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing (+6,200), and health care and social assistance (+5,500).
- Alberta leads all provinces in year-over-year employment growth at 3.4 per cent vs. 0.6 per cent nationally.
- Alberta has the highest average weekly earnings among all provinces at $1,363.
Alberta adds nearly 800 doctors in 2025, smashes more recruitment records
Alberta has set another record in health workforce growth, adding 796 physicians in the 2025 calendar year: a 6.5% increase, with gains across all zones. The province now has a total of 13,008 registered physicians, marking one of the strongest single‑year increases ever recorded.
Key Messages:
· According to the CPSA’s second quarter update, Alberta now has 13,008 physicians in-province registered to practice as of December 31st, 2025—the highest number ever recorded.
· The province added 796 physicians in 2025, a 6.5% increase, compared to an estimated 2.5% population growth—a clear indicator that Alberta is attracting physicians at a significantly faster rate than its population is growing.
· Physician gains were recorded in all five health zones, including a 7.3% increase in the North Zone in 2025, demonstrating strong growth across both urban and rural areas.
· 17 of 18 tracked communities saw physician increases, reflecting widespread success in expanding access to care.
· At the end of December 2025, 733 members were registered on the General Register with an out‑of‑province address, and combining these with the 13,008 in‑province members brought the total number of fully registered members to 13,741.
· Alberta’s competitive advantages—low taxes, robust support systems, and leading compensation—continue to make it the most attractive province for physicians to live and work.
Key Facts (as of December 31st, 2025):
- Total registered physicians (with AB address): 13,008
- Total registered physicians (including those with out of province address): 13,741
- 2025 total increase of physicians registered in-province: +796
- 2025 percent total increase of physicians registered in-province: +6.5%
- Estimated population growth: ~2.5%
- Physician gains in all 5 zones, including a standout 7.3% increase in the North Zone in 2025.
- 17 of 18 communities saw physician growth (except Wetaskiwin)
Alberta leads Canada in red tape reduction
Alberta has once again earned top marks for cutting red tape, solidifying the province’s position as the best place in Canada to live, work and do business.
Key messages:
- Alberta is once again the best in the country for red tape reduction, earning the prestigious Golden Scissors Award and an A grade from CFIB for the fourth year in a row.
- These awards show that our red tape reduction focus is working and making services faster, simpler, and more responsive for families and businesses.
- So far, our red tape reduction track record has scrapped over 220,000 bureaucratic burdens, saving Albertans and businesses more than $3 billion.
- Red tape reduction is about better service – whether it’s faster services, easier access to grants, or cutting more red tape across government, the best is still ahead.
Key facts:
- Of the more than 700 red tape reduction initiatives completed since 2019, 250 respond directly to red tape reduction ideas from public and industry recommendations.
- The province met its 33 per cent red tape reduction target in 2024.
- Alberta has passed 10 red tape reduction bills since 2019. The most recent, Bill 10, the Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No.2) was passed in December 2025.
News release: Alberta leads Canada in red tape reduction | alberta.ca
Teacher Advisory Council
Applications are now open for the Teacher Advisory Council. Teachers and principals can apply to be part of the council, applications close February 13, 2026.
Key Messages:
· Alberta’s education system is among the best in the world, and teachers are essential to delivering the world‑class education students receive across the province.
· To ensure teachers’ expertise and frontline experience are central to education policy, we have established the Teacher Advisory Council.
· The council will provide a meaningful, ongoing avenue for teachers and principals to share their perspectives and directly inform the creation of education policy in Alberta.
· All interested, certificated teachers and principals are encouraged to apply online to be considered for membership.
o Applications close February 13. Full application details are available on Alberta.ca.
Key Facts:
- The Teacher Advisory Council will provide input to the Minister of Education and Childcare on key priorities in Alberta’s K–12 education system.
- Up to 15 certificated teachers and teacher leaders from different backgrounds across Alberta will be selected.
- Appointments to the council are made by Ministerial Order for terms up to 18 months and may be eligible for reappointment.
- Teacher Advisory Council | Alberta.ca link to applications
Background:
- The council is being created to give teachers a direct voice in shaping education policies and initiatives, complementing existing engagement efforts.
- The Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee leads urgent, system-level actions to address classroom complexity and improve learning conditions.
- Representation will include diverse geographical locations, school authorities and teaching experiences.
Coca-Cola Bottling expansion
Coca-Cola Bottling celebrated a $75 million warehouse expansion in NE Calgary on January 30, 2026, a major investment for Alberta and Calgary’s local economy.
Key messages:
- Alberta is proud to welcome Coca-Cola Bottling’s largest investment since becoming an independent, family-owned Canadian business in 2018.
- This $75 million investment is a show of confidence in Alberta as the best place to do business.
- Thanks to the work of our government to lower taxes and cut red tape, companies are seeing Alberta is open for business.
- This state-of-the-art facility is 60,000 square feet and stands as a new landmark to those flying into YYC.
- Our government is proud to welcome investments like this that are injecting millions into our local economy.
- Congratulations to Coca-Cola Bottling on this milestone achievement.Key facts:
- The newly opened 60,000-square-foot warehouse stands nearly as tall as a 12-storey building and can store close to 20,000 pallets.
- Delivered in partnership with System Logistics, CANA Construction, and 30 Canadian trade partners, the project injected approximately $29 million into the local economy.
- In Calgary, Coca-Cola Bottling operates a Combo Centre, which includes a manufacturing facility, a sales and distribution centre, in addition to the new ASRS warehouse.
- Over 400 people are employed at this facility.
