How was labour back in 2007 for Alberta?

• A. Labour surplus.
• B. Stable with minor fluctuations.
• C. Labour shortages.
• D. No data

Answer: (C)

When the economy is booming, demand for workers can outpace the supply of people with the right skills. In Alberta in 2007, the energy boom and high commodity prices created lots of job openings, but not enough workers to fill them, especially in skilled trades, engineering, construction, and professional sectors. That combination—many jobs and relatively few qualified workers—leads to labour shortages, with low unemployment and rising wages as employers compete for talent.

So the best description isn't a surplus (too many workers) or a stable market (little change), and data did exist showing vacancies and tightness in the labour market. That’s why labour shortages fits the situation in Alberta in 2007.