The region is continuing to see a drop in the number of jobs.

According to Statistics Canada’s latest labour force survey, Wood Buffalo-Cold Lake lost around 1,100 positions in January.

This is the seventh straight month the number of jobs has decreased. Since June 2019, Wood Buffalo-Cold Lake has lost approximately 7,400 positions.

The forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas sector saw the biggest drop in January, losing around 700 spots. Currently, around 20,200 people in the region work in this sector.

The wholesale and retail trade sector had the biggest rise as they added 200 jobs.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate rose from 4.2 per cent to 5.3 per cent.

Provincially and federally, the unemployment rate increased from last month – sitting at 7.0 per cent and 5.5 per cent respectively.