Released on March 24, 2011
Saskatchewan has seen another substantial year over year decrease in the number of Employment Insurance (EI) beneficiaries in the province.
According to the latest report from Statistics Canada, January 2011 saw 11,940 EI beneficiaries receiving regular benefits in Saskatchewan, a decrease of 1,010 or 7.8 per cent from the same month last year. This was the fourth highest decrease among the provinces.
Saskatchewan also saw a drop of 460 or 3.7 per cent from December 2010. This is the second highest percentage decrease among the provinces, behind only Ontario.
"The Saskatchewan Advantage is plain to see," Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris said. "With a rising population, falling taxes and a growing number of opportunities, Saskatchewan remains the place to be for working people and their families."
Among cities, Regina continues to show strength, with an 18.7 per cent drop in EI recipients (unadjusted). Saskatoon saw a 7.0 per cent decrease.
As a share of labour force population, Saskatchewan has the fewest number of people receiving EI benefits in Canada, at 1.5 per cent (tied with Alberta).
"We are focused on doing what we can to keep Employment Insurance numbers moving in the right direction," Norris said. "Our rapid response teams stand ready to help employers and workers facing layoffs, and the capable staff in our 19 Can-Sask Career and Employment Services Centres are working every day to match job seekers with opportunities."
Norris also pointed to the nearly 8,000 jobs posted to www.saskjobs.ca as a clear sign of the opportunities available right now in Saskatchewan.
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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