Released on February 26, 2009
Saskatchewan workers continue to enjoy strong growth in their wages, according to a release today from Statistics Canada.
The average weekly earnings in Saskatchewan were $773.63 in December 2008, an increase of 4.4 per cent over December 2007. That's the largest increase among provinces in Canada, well above the national average of 2.7 per cent.
Average wages in Saskatchewan passed British Columbia in December and are now the third-highest in Canada, behind only Alberta and Ontario.
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said today's report is a further indication that Saskatchewan's economy is still strong, and said the government is taking action to ensure it stays that way.
"We have reduced income tax so that Saskatchewan workers get to keep more of the money they work hard to earn," Norris said. "We have provided a $500-million ‘economic booster shot' of infrastructure investment to generate jobs and economic activity in our province.
"Fiscal forecasts for Saskatchewan in 2009 continue to be quite positive. The government has taken action to ensure our economy remains strong."
There are also more people working in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan recorded a 16,600 increase in the number of people working, with a jump of 3.3 per cent in January 2009 compared January 2008.
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For more information, contact:
Joy Johnson
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1331
Email: joy.johnson@gov.sk.ca