The number of Saskatchewan people receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits has dropped significantly over the past year, according to the latest report from Statistics Canada.
There were 11,150 people receiving regular EI benefits in Saskatchewan in February 2011, a decrease of 1,850, or 14.2 per cent from the same month last year. That marks the second highest percentage decrease among the provinces.
As a share of labour force population, Saskatchewan has the lowest number of people receiving EI benefits in Canada, at 1.4 per cent (tied with Alberta).
"Employers in every corner of the province are creating opportunities for Saskatchewan people," Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris said. "Through our rapid response teams and Career and Employment Services offices, government is providing key supports to ensure that Saskatchewan workers are able to take full advantage of those opportunities.
"At 5.2 per cent, Saskatchewan already has the lowest unemployment rate in the country and we look forward to even more opportunities on the horizon," Norris said.
