Morinville residents commuting more as local jobs struggle to keep up

By Shelley Winger
More than 2,000 Morinville residents commute daily to neighboring towns for work,
highlighting a growing gap between population growth and local employment
opportunities. Between 2001 and 2021, the town added 915 jobs, rising from 1,880 to 2,795
positions, yet the number of employed residents reached 4,990 in 2021.
The employment activity rate, which measures jobs per 1,000 residents, declined over the
same period, falling from 287 to 269. While the town’s total number of jobs grew, it did not
keep pace with the rising population, reflecting a trend that could influence both
community engagement and quality of life.
Morinville’s economic base is primarily defined by agriculture, oil and gas, and
manufacturing, yet only 275 jobs, or 9.8 percent of local employment, exist within these
sectors. In comparison, most Canadian communities have 18 to 22 percent of local jobs
within their economic base. This indicates that residents often rely on external job markets
for employment in sectors that the town itself does not provide.
Looking to the future, Morinville’s job market is projected to nearly double by 2066,
reaching 5,510 positions. However, much of this growth is expected to occur in commercial
and institutional sectors, rather than primary industries. While this expansion may provide
new local opportunities and increase economic diversity, projections show that
employment growth is likely to lag behind population growth, suggesting that commuting
patterns will continue for the foreseeable future.
The reliance on external employment centers underscores the importance of strategic
economic planning. Municipal reports note that efforts to attract investment in industrial
sectors such as agribusiness and manufacturing could provide more stable local
employment and better match residents’ skills to available jobs. At the same time,
increasing commuting volumes may require upgrades to transportation infrastructure to
accommodate daily travel.
The current employment landscape reflects both challenges and opportunities. While
residents rely on neighboring areas for work, the potential exists to grow local industries,

diversify the economy and improve work-life balance for the community. In 2021,
Morinville had 2,795 local jobs, but 4,990 residents were employed, meaning roughly 2,195
people commute outside town for work. The number of jobs per 1,000 residents fell from
287 in 2001 to 269 in 2021, showing that employment growth has not kept pace with
population. Only 9.8 percent of local jobs are in Morinville’s main economic
sectors—agriculture, oil and gas, and manufacturing—well below the national average of 18
to 22 percent. By 2066, jobs are projected to grow to 5,510, primarily in commercial and

institutional sectors, yet without strategic planning, commuting and reliance on external
employment are expected to continue.
By focusing on strategic investment and economic planning, Morinville has the potential to
better align local job opportunities with its growing population, providing residents with
more stable employment, reduced commuting, and stronger community engagement in the
years ahead.