Released on October 10, 2008
Saskatchewan employment numbers have again hit record monthly levels, according to a release from Statistics Canada today.
There were 522,500 people working in Saskatchewan in September 2008 - an increase of 18,100 jobs from September 2007. Full-time employment increased by 15,400 jobs in the last year. At the same time, Saskatchewan's unemployment rate is the lowest in Canada at 3.6 per cent.
"The increase in jobs over last year is a little more than the population of the entire city of Yorkton," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Rob Norris said. "These are significant numbers.
"The record employment levels are evidence that Saskatchewan people are talented, driven and committed to a secure and prosperous future for our province. I am optimistic that we will continue to see impressive employment levels, as we all work together to sustain our economic momentum."
Employment is also up 10,600 jobs or 4.6 per cent among women, 4,100 or 4.7 per cent among young people, and 2,500 or 7.6 per cent among off-reserve First Nations and Métis people in September 2008 compared to September 2007.
"This is an exciting time to be a resident, working and living here in Saskatchewan," Norris said. "Our government recognizes the unique benefits our dynamic and diverse economy provides, and we will continue to work diligently to ensure that the people of Saskatchewan share in those benefits."
As part of on-going efforts to entice skilled workers to the province, SaskJobs.ca is promoting Saskatchewan next door in Alberta this weekend at the Saskatchewan Roughrider and Calgary Stampeder football game October 13. The job-search website is the largest in the province, with more than 150,000 job postings in the last 12 months and more than 9,000 job postings listed each day during the National Job Fair in Toronto. During the football game, Saskatchewan's message will reach more than 36,000 fans on-site, and a nationwide television audience of more than 400,000.
In addition to tracking broad measurements such as population numbers and creating greater awareness in Saskatchewan, the government will continue to work with employers to track people who move to the province as a result of this, and other missions.
"The people of this province are experiencing the benefits of our economic momentum," Norris said. "We want people to know that Saskatchewan is a great place to make a living, but an even better place to make a life."
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For more information, contact:
Chris Jones-Bonk
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3106