Calgary could lose thousands of health care jobs by 2023

According to the latest data from Statistics Canada, there have been major changes in health and social services in Alberta, particularly in Calgary.

The number of people working in Calgary's health and social care workforce fell sharply last year, a far cry from what was seen elsewhere in the province, such as Edmonton and Lethbridge.

Calgary's health and social care sector employed 121,900 people in January 2023, and that number fell to 101,200 in December, according to data released Friday.

Edmonton, on the other hand, started the year with 108,100 people working in health and social care and ended it with 124,400.

Lethbridge also grew from 10,500 to 12,700 over the 12-month period.

This includes those working in hospitals, nursing homes and other residential care facilities, emergency medical and emergency care workers, as well as those working in counselling, social care and child protection.

But now the big question is, where have all the employees gone?

These changes come as Alberta Health Services restructures into different branches.

It's at a time when the province has pledged to fill rural health care shortages by investing about $160 million to address the province's shortage of health workers.

CityNews has reached out to experts and the province for comment on the situation and has yet to hear back.

However, in a statement released Friday morning, Alberta Jobs, Economy and Trade Minister Matt Jones was proud of the economic strength highlighted in Alberta's January 2024 Labor Force Survey.

Jones said last month's addition of 23,800 jobs built on progress seen last year.

“Alberta's economy is expected to remain one of the strongest in Canada in 2024, and jobs are an important part of that,” he said in part. “It's all because of the Alberta advantage.”

“Our competitive tax rates, highly skilled workforce, abundant natural resources and world-class education system mean we will continue to be Canada's economic engine.”