Released on May 11, 2007
The province’s red-hot economy continues to set employment records and Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate is at a historic low.
Statistics Canada figures released today show Saskatchewan has now had 13 straight months of record job numbers, with 494,400 people working in the province in April (seasonally unadjusted figure). That’s up 14,400 over the previous record for April set just last year.
“April was another great month for jobs, as our businesses and industries build on an entire year of solid employment growth,” Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. “Entrepreneurs within and outside our borders are energizing our economy, and that’s translating into more opportunities for Saskatchewan workers and families.”
Youth employment increased 5,500 over April 2006 and Saskatchewan’s youth unemployment rate was the second-lowest in the country. Employment for Aboriginal people living off-reserve was up 2,700 from April of last year.
Jobs were up last month in construction; services; the oil, gas and mining industries; trade; manufacturing; finance; insurance and real estate; and public administration.
Other indicators are also showing the strength of the Saskatchewan economy. Manufacturing shipments, potash production and sales, farm cash receipts, urban housing starts, international exports, retail sales, building permit values, average weekly earnings and new motor vehicle sales are all up.
Saskatchewan had the second lowest unemployment rate in Canada in April at 4.3 per cent (seasonally unadjusted), down 0.9 percentage points from April 2006 and below the national rate of 6.3 per cent. Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate for April was the lowest reported by Statistics Canada for that month.
Saskatchewan Labour Force statistics can be found online at www.stats.gov.sk.ca.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Joanne Johnson
Industry and Resources
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691
Email: jjohnson@ir.gov.sk.ca