Released on July 8, 2011
For the fourth consecutive month, Saskatchewan has the lowest unemployment rate in Canada.
Saskatchewan's June unemployment rate of 4.9 per cent (seasonally adjusted) was well below the national average of 7.4 per cent. The number of unemployed was down by 3,600 (13.1 per cent) - the third highest percentage decline among provinces.
Unemployment rates in Regina (5.2 per cent) and Saskatoon (5.5 per cent) rank first and third among major Canadian cities.
"With the lowest unemployment rate in the country, record average earnings and a record population, more people than ever are experiencing the Saskatchewan Advantage first-hand," Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris said. "And there is reason to be optimistic about the future. Earlier this week, ScotiaBank forecast that Saskatchewan will see an average economic growth rate of 3.5 per cent for 2011 and 2012 - the second highest growth rate in the nation."
There were 537,200 people employed in Saskatchewan in June 2011, this included 1,400 more people who were employed full-time. Of note, off-reserve Aboriginal employment was up by 1,700 (4.4 per cent). Employment among Aboriginal youth was also up by 500 (5.1 per cent), marking 11 consecutive months of year-over-year increases.
"Despite a trying spring in several areas of the province, employers continue to create new employment opportunities," Norris said. "Our SaskJobs.ca website saw a 45 per cent year-over-year increase in the number of jobs posted by employers in June - another good sign of short-term demand."
Norris said that with more than 8,100 vacancies currently posted on SaskJobs.ca, opportunities are 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