Employment numbers record high in Sept.

The number of people employed on a full-time basis hit a record in September, according to new figures released by Statistics Canada today. Full-time employment was 465,100 last month, the highest ever for the month of September and up 11,800 from a year ago. More than 80 per cent of the new jobs created in Saskatchewan in the past year were full-time jobs while across Canada, fewer than half of the new jobs created were full-time.

"More jobs, more people and more economic activity continue to make Saskatchewan the place to be," Energy and Resources Minister Tim McMillan said. "The increase in full-time jobs is impressive as it provides working people with more stability and security which leads to a better quality of life."

There were 555,500 people working in the province in September, the highest ever for that month. That's an increase of 14,700 jobs compared to last September, a 2.7 per cent growth rate which is the second highest among the provinces.

Unemployment in Saskatchewan was 4.3 per cent in September 2013, tied with Alberta for the lowest in Canada, and well below the 6.9 per cent recorded nationally. Saskatchewan has had the lowest unemployment rate among the provinces for nine consecutive months.

"Today's report is full of good news as Saskatchewan maintains the lowest unemployment rate in Canada for the ninth straight month," McMillan said. "Our economy is one of the best in the country right now, and is attracting people and investment to the province."

Other highlights include:

Regina's unemployment rate was 3.0 per cent and Saskatoon's was 4.4 per cent. Regina had the lowest and Saskatoon the second-lowest rate among major Canadian cities. Regina has had the lowest unemployment rate among major Canadian cities since August 2011.

Youth unemployment was 9.1 per cent, the second lowest among the provinces.

Regina's employment was up by 9,000 or 7.1 per cent and Saskatoon was up by 11,900 or 7.7 per cent compared to last year.

Off-reserve Aboriginal employment was up by 4,800 (12.3 per cent) for eight consecutive months of year-over-year increases. Aboriginal unemployment is down from 14.6 per cent to 12.0 per cent in the past year.