Saskatchewan Leads Nation In Job Growth

Released on September 10, 2021

10,100 Jobs Gained in One Month

Today, job numbers released by Statistics Canada for August 2021 show Saskatchewan's unemployment rate fell to 7.0 per cent from 7.9 per cent a year ago, and below the national average of 7.1 per cent (seasonally adjusted). 

Month-to-month seasonally adjusted employment increased by 10,100 (+1.8 per cent) from July 2021 and ranked first among the provinces in terms of percentage change, well above the national increase of 0.5 per cent.  Saskatchewan gained 16,800 jobs compared with the same period last year.  This represents an increase of 3.0 per cent.   

"Strong job gains is a positive economic indicator that Saskatchewan is leading Canada's economic recovery," Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said.  "With over 9,000 jobs posted on saskjobs.ca, employers across the province are looking for workers to fill positions, which shows confidence in our province's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic."

Major year-over-year gains were reported for trade with 14,900 jobs up, health care and social assistance up 6,800 jobs and accommodation and food services up 3,000 jobs.  Over the same period, the private sector was up 18,900 jobs (+5.9 per cent), female employment increased by 11,500 jobs (+4.6 per cent) and youth employment was up 8,800 jobs.  Off-reserve Aboriginal employment saw a gain of 6,800 jobs (+12.8 per cent), the ninth consecutive month of year-over-year increases. 

Saskatchewan's youth unemployment rate was 10.7 per cent, the third lowest among the provinces and below the national average of 11.6 per cent (seasonally adjusted).  Aboriginal youth employment also increased by 56.1 per cent for the fifth consecutive month of year-over-year increase.

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