Released on March 13, 2009
Saskatchewan continues to post strong employment growth even as job losses in the rest of the country are mounting.
There were 14,500 more people working in Saskatchewan in February compared to the same month a year ago, according to new figures released today by Statistics Canada. That's an increase of 2.9 per cent - by far the strongest rate of job growth of any province in Canada. In fact, the rest of Canada lost a total of 246,800 jobs during the same 12-month period.
Saskatchewan continues to have the lowest unemployment rate in the country.
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said the latest job numbers show Saskatchewan's economy continues to withstand the global economic storm.
"Today is Friday the 13 but I think we all feel pretty lucky to be living in Saskatchewan," Norris said. "Our government is taking action to ensure our economy remains strong, like our recent ‘economic booster shot' and significant income tax relief for Saskatchewan people. And we will take further steps to keep our economy strong in next week's provincial budget."
Norris responded to today's employment numbers at the Saskatoon head office of the Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan, where he noted the growing number of women in the Saskatchewan workforce. Women accounted for nearly all of the employment growth in Saskatchewan in the past 12 months, as the number of women working grew by 15,300, or 6.6 per cent.
"There are now more women working in Saskatchewan than ever before in the province's history," Norris said. "Women now make up nearly 48 per cent of our growing employed workforce. That's a clear sign of a vibrant, progressive province and a growing economy."
Norris said he was also pleased that aboriginal employment is up by 3,500 over the past year.
People working in Saskatchewan are now earning more as well. Statistics Canada recently reported Saskatchewan workers are now the third-highest paid in Canada with average weekly earnings of $773.63.
"Best of all, there are still plenty of great opportunities available in Saskatchewan," Norris said. "Noting that as of this morning, there are still more than 5,700 job opportunities posted on the www.saskjobs.ca website."
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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