Released on February 5, 2021
The Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey released today shows Saskatchewan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in January 2021 was the lowest among the provinces at 7.2 per cent, and well below the national rate of 9.4 per cent.
“The comparative performance of the Saskatchewan economy during the COVID-19 pandemic has been remarkable,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “Once again, Saskatchewan has the strongest jobs performance in the country and is leading in export growth as well. While Saskatchewan has not been immune to the global impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, our province has demonstrated incredible resiliency as we lead Canada’s economic recovery.”
Saskatchewan’s seasonally adjusted employment grew by 2,200 jobs (+0.4 per cent) on a month-to-month basis.
Statistics Canada also released 2020 Merchandise Exports figures today, which had Saskatchewan ranked first among the provinces in percentage change with an increase of 2.5 per cent, compared to 2019. Saskatchewan merchandise exports were valued at more than $30 billion in 2020. Saskatchewan was one of only two provinces to grow their merchandise exports in 2020.
The latest CFIB Small Business Recovery Dashboard update shows that Saskatchewan has the most private sector businesses fully open among major provinces at 76 per cent, compared to only 47 per cent nationally.
For more information, including on COVID-19 support for businesses and workers in Saskatchewan, please visit www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-businesses.
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For more information, contact:
Robin Speer
Immigration and Career Training
Regina
Phone: 306-519-5006
Email: robin.speer@gov.sk.ca