The region is seeing a drop in the number of jobs month over month.

That’s according to Statistics Canada’s latest report which notes Wood Buffalo – Cold Lake lost around 500 jobs in August.

This is first time since February the region has seen a monthly loss in jobs.

The educational services sector saw the biggest decrease, losing around 800 positions.

The region’s biggest sector – forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil, and gas – ended up seeing a drop of around 500 positions.

Meanwhile, the local unemployment rate increased to 6.4 per cent.

The provincial rate decreased to 7.9 per cent, while the federal unemployment rate dropped to 7.1 per cent.