Released on November 5, 2010
Saskatchewan workers saw a jump in the number and quality of job opportunities in October. Statistics Canada reported this morning that the province saw a year-over-year increase of 11,300 full-time jobs.
There were 525,800 people working in Saskatchewan in October 2010 - a record for the month of October and an overall increase of 5,200 year-over-year. The province's labour force continues to grow as well, setting an October record at 554,400.
"Saskatchewan's growth agenda is yielding real benefits for our province's citizens," Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris said. "We've never seen so many people working in October, and our workers are earning more than they ever have."
October marks the ninth consecutive month of year-over-year employment increases for Saskatchewan. The province's private sector continues to fuel that growth, with a year-over-year increase of 11,200.
Saskatchewan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October was 5.7 per cent, the second lowest in Canada and well below the national rate of 7.9 per cent.
And for the sixth consecutive month, First Nations and Métis numbers saw a year-over-year increase with employment up 2,200 (6.7 per cent). Youth First Nations and Métis employment also took a huge jump, increasing by 12.2 per cent.
Once again, Regina was a strong contributor to employment growth in the province, with 8,900 new jobs year-over-year. Among major cities, Regina (4.9 per cent) and Saskatoon (5.5 per cent) had the second and fourth lowest unemployment rates in Canada.
Norris also noted the range of opportunities available at www.saskjobs.ca.
"Last month, SaskJobs saw its highest number of job postings in two years," Norris said. "Right now, there are more than 7,200 posting with opportunities available in every corner of the province."
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For more information, contact:
Christopher Jones-Bonk
Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3106
Email: chris.jones-bonk@gov.sk.ca