TABLES 20 and 21 indicate changes in the labor force participation and unemployment of women across the provinces. Note that:

• Participation has grown fastest in Saskatchewan and Alberta (an increase of 12 percentage points in Saskatchewan, 11 percentage points in Alberta). However, Alberta, they area of highest female participation, also has one of the fastest growing unemployment rates (5.2% of the female labor force was unemployed in 1975; 10.9% in 1985).
  
  
• Labor force participation in 1985 remains lowest in the Atlantic provinces, especially in Newfoundland (41%), although these areas have also seen a growth in women's participation.
  
  
• Other areas with large increases in unemployment include Nova Scotia (from 8.7% in 1975 to 14.4% in 1985) and British Columbia (from 9.4% in 1975 to 15.2% in 1985). While Newfoundland unemployment figures are not available for 1975, this province has by far the highest unemployment rate for women (21.7%) in 1985. Further, this official unemployment rate underestimates actual unemployment by not including those who have been unemployed for more than a year.

TABLE 20

CHANGES IN LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION AMONG WOMEN 15+
ACROSS PROVINCES
1975 - 1985

Women in labor Force as a % of Women 15+ by Region

Source: Statistics Canada, The Labor Force Survey (Monthly) Cat. #71-001.