Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate was 5.2 per cent (seasonally adjusted) in July according to Statistics Canada. This was the lowest rate among the provinces and well below the 6.8 per cent recorded nationally. July marks the 22nd consecutive month the province has had the lowest unemployment rate in the country.
“Toda y’s numbers show Saskatchewan has maintained the lowest unemployment rate in the country for almost two straight years,” Immigration, Jobs, Skills and Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “We know there are gains and losses taking place in the job market, which is something we watch closely. However, consistently having the lowest unemployment rate in Canada means a sustainable and reliable job market that speaks volumes to business and industry when they are looking for jurisdictions to invest in.”
There were 575,300 people employed in July 2015.
Other highlights include:
• Major year-over-year gains were reported for health care and social assistance up 6,100; other services up 3,400; information, culture and recreation up 2,600;
• Off-reserve Aboriginal employment was up 1,300 (+3.0 per cent) for five consecutive months of year-over-year increases; and
• Youth unemployment rate was 9.5 per cent (seasonally adjusted), lowest among the provinces, and below the national rate of 13.2 per cent.