More people working in Sask than ever before

July 6, 2019, 4:15 am

According to a report released by Statistics Canada, Saskatchewan set an all-time record for employment last month at 592,900 jobs.

In June, employment was up 9,200 jobs compared to June 2018, a 1.6 percent increase, the eleventh consecutive month of year-over-year job increases.

Month-to-month, employment was also up, rising by 2,500 jobs between May 2019 and June 2019, a 0.4 per cent increase (seasonally adjusted).

“With eleven straight months of climbing job numbers, we are seeing very positive trends that supports a growing Saskatchewan economy,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said.

“Even though our province’s economy is facing significant external headwinds, job creators continue to have confidence in the fundamentals of our diversified economy.”

The unemployment rate in the province dropped to 5.1 per cent in June (seasonally adjusted), down from 6.2 per cent a year ago. Saskatchewan had the third lowest unemployment rate in the nation.

The national unemployment rate rose to 5.5 per cent in June.

Other June highlights:

• All-time records were set in June for the working-age population (888,900), labour force (621,400); employment (592,900);

• Regina's employment was up 4,900 (+3.5 per cent), and Saskatoon's employment was up 4,100 (+2.3 per cent) compared to last June;

• Major year-over-year gains were reported for accommodation and food services, up 5,400; professional, scientific and technical services, up 3,000; information, culture & recreation up 2,200; and

• Private sector jobs were up 9,900 (+3.0 percent).