Released on April 8, 2011
Saskatchewan's March unemployment rate of 5.2 per cent (seasonally adjusted) was the lowest in the country, well below the national rate of 7.7 per cent, according to Statistics Canada's March Labour Force Survey.
Regina continues to be a hot spot for job creation in Saskatchewan, with a year-over-year employment increase of 3,500. Regina's March unemployment rate of 5.6 per cent was the lowest among Canadian cities. At 5.7 per cent, Saskatoon ranked second (tied with Winnipeg).
Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Rob Norris pointed to a series of favourable indicators as another positive sign for Saskatchewan workers.
"Earlier this week, the CFIB's Business Barometer noted that Saskatchewan business owners are the most optimistic in the country, with almost a third planning to increase full-time employment in the near future," Norris said. "Add that to positive outlooks from Manpower Canada and the Conference Board of Canada, and it's easy to see why people from across the country view Saskatchewan as a place of opportunity."
There were 516,800 people working in Saskatchewan in March 2011, 1,300 fewer than in March 2010. There are still more than 8,300 jobs available right now on www.saskjobs.ca.
Norris also reminded employers looking for summer help to get those jobs posted soon as post-secondary students are now completing their school year.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Christopher Jones-Bonk
Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3106
Email: chris.jones-bonk@gov.sk.ca