Released on January 9, 2009
The number of people working in Saskatchewan increased by 16,900 from December 2007 to December 2008, according to the latest Labour Force Survey released today by Statistics Canada.
That is an increase of 3.4 per cent, about seven times above the national average of 0.5 per cent.
"We still see an improvement in the quality of life for Saskatchewan people," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. "As the number of people working in Saskatchewan rises, we continue to have opportunities to build secure and prosperous futures in our province."
Saskatchewan's economy will remain strong in 2009, with the province continuing to lead the country in economic growth, as predicted by a number of independent forecasters.
Statistics Canada recently reported that workers in the province are also earning more. The average earnings of a payroll employee were $765.75 per week in October 2008. This is an increase of 4.0 per cent compared to October 2007, and well above the national average of 3.0 per cent.
Saskatchewan also recorded an increase in the number of occupied payroll jobs, with a jump of 2.8 per cent in October 2008 compared to a year ago. This increase is nearly double the national average of 1.5 per cent.
Norris noted that more than 148,000 positions were listed on www.saskjobs.ca in the past year and 47 families have moved from the Greater Toronto Area to Saskatchewan since the National Job Fair in Toronto last fall.
"We all know the economic climate across Canada and around the world has changed significantly," Norris said. "Saskatchewan is in good shape and, in fact, right now the best in Canada. We will continue to closely monitor the global economic situation."
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For more information, contact:
Joy Johnson, ABC
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1331
Email: joy.johnson@gov.sk.ca