Sask.’s unemployment rate the lowest among provinces, government boasts

Saskatchewan’s government says positive labour force numbers from Statistics Canada demonstrate the strength of the province’s economy.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the province last month was 5.4 per cent, which is the lowest in Canada and well below the national average of 6.4 per cent, the government noted in a Friday news release.

Saskatchewan added 22,900 new jobs year-over-year in July, a 3.9 per cent increase.

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Between June and July, “Saskatchewan was the only western province to see employment growth with only one other province in the country adding jobs,” the release boasted.

The province’s labour force reached 652,800 people, including 514,700 with full-time jobs. Off-reserve employment of Indigenous people reached 113,900 — an increase of 3.7 per cent compared to July 2023 — and 500 more Indigenous youth were employed compared to 2023.

Employment gains in the two major cities differ significantly.

“Compared to July 2023, Regina’s employment was up 2,700, an increase of 1.8 per cent, and Saskatoon’s employment was up 7,900, an increase of 3.9 per cent,” the release noted.

Jobs in wholesale and retail trade are up by 7,200 — a 7.5 per cent increase from last year. Educational services jobs did even better, increasing by 5,200 or 13. 3 per cent. Health care and social assistance jobs increased by 3,900 or 4.2 per cent.

The June Consumer Price Index release said Saskatchewan has the lowest rate of inflation in Canada, at 1.4 per cent, the government noted.

“Saskatchewan’s economy continues to see growth across several other categories. The province’s retail trade sales value and building construction investment for May 2024 (seasonally adjusted) increased by 6.1 per cent and 12.9 per cent, respectively, when compared to May 2023.”

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The release quoted Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison saying the job numbers “translate into opportunity and prosperity for people here in Saskatchewan and a bright future for our young people.”

Saskatchewan’s minimum wage is the lowest in Canada. It’s set to increase to $15 per hour on Oct. 1, when it will be tied with Alberta as the lowest in Canada.

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