The sector covering the oilsands remains a top job creator locally while jobs in retail, public administration and health care have slowed in the census area covering Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo and Cold Lake, according to October data from Statistics Canada.

The sector covering oil, gas, forestry and mining reported the most new jobs with about 1,000 new jobs added. Wholesale and retail sectors were the hardest hit with roughly 1,400 losses. A drop in private and public sector employees combined with a rise in people identifying as self-employed hints at more workers moving towards contract or freelance work.

Unemployment in the Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake census region dropped to 6.8 per cent in October, compared to 7.2 per cent in September. The employment rate, which is the share of people

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