Job vacancy rate in Banff, Jasper, Rocky Mountain House highest in Canada

Despite months of economic doom and gloom in Alberta, there's a bright spot in the job numbers in the mountain parks they need workers.

A Statistics Canada study says the job vacancy rate in the Banff, Jasper, Rocky Mountain House economic region was 3.6 per centthe highest in the country at the end of 2015.

"It's very competitive. We each have to make sure our wages are in the right place, our benefits are great," said Sarah MacDonald, of the Banff Lodging Company.

The companyowns several hotels, restaurants and shops, and employs more than 700 people.It's looking for at least 50 more.

At the Cool As A Moose souvenir shop along Banff's main drag,Chelsea Cudmore says they're looking to hire at least 10 people. But she saysit isn't easy in a town that has struggled with affordable housing for workers.

"The people are here, but they just don't have a place to live. So, unless you have accommodation for your staff, it's very hard to attract people," she said.

Several shops along the street have posted help wanted signs. At Banff's Job Resource Centre, director Michel Dufresne says employers along the Bow Valley are looking for a range of people,from tour bus driversto restaurant staff. He's hoping college students will help ease some of that demand.

"They've arrived this week, so we've had big numbers, lots of walk-in traffic and we have a lot of jobs to fill."

Dufresneis expecting the summer to be busy, with more tourists lured bythe lower Canadian dollar.

"We've not been impacted by the downturn in the Alberta economy. And the low dollar actually benefits us. So I'm not surprised to see that,because it's been a really good winter."

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