Released on October 29, 2008
Saskatchewan people continue to benefit from living and working in Saskatchewan with continued increases in the average earnings of paid employees and decreases in the number of residents receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, according to a release from Statistics Canada today.
The average earnings of paid employees in Saskatchewan for August 2008 were $760.46 per week, up 1.0 per cent from the previous month. Saskatchewan recorded the largest year-over-year increase among provinces with 4.9 per cent, well above the national average of 2.8 per cent.
In Saskatchewan, there were 8,860 people receiving EI benefits in August 2008, a drop of nearly ten per cent from the same month one year ago. This is the largest drop in recipients of EI benefits across Canada.
"Saskatchewan's economy is strong, providing a stable foundation for the people of this province," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. "Our government will continue to build a secure and prosperous future for this province."
More people are also working in the province. Saskatchewan and Alberta recorded the largest percentage increase in the number of occupied payroll jobs, with a jump of 2.9 per cent in August 2008, compared to a year ago. This increase is also above the national average of 1.6 per cent.
"We are building a stronger Saskatchewan and a better life for all people in our province," Norris said. "In the days ahead, we will seek practical and prudent approaches to continued economic growth."
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For more information, contact:
Donna-Rae Crooks
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3716
Email: dcrooks@lab.gov.sk.ca