Low unemployment

With a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 5.0 per cent (well below the national average of 7.4 per cent), Saskatchewan has now had the lowest unemployment rate in Canada for three straight months.

Regina also continues to hold its own among major Canadian cities, with an unemployment rate of 5.4 per cent - the lowest in the country (tied with Hamilton). Regina also saw a year-over-year employment increase of 3,000.

"As Saskatchewan's economy gathers momentum, more and more people are seizing the opportunities our province has to offer," Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris said. "The ability of our people to directly benefit from that growth is a cornerstone of the Saskatchewan Advantage."

There were 535,900 people working in Saskatchewan in May 2011, a year-over-year increase of 2,400 and a record for the month of May.

Noting that six of Canada's nine major economic forecasters are calling on Saskatchewan to lead the nation in growth, Norris expressed optimism that Saskatchewan will remain a place of opportunity for job seekers.

"With the lowest unemployment rate in the country and ever-growing prospects, Saskatchewan continues to be the place to be for skilled workers," Norris said.

Norris added that with almost 9,000 jobs posted today on www.saskjobs.ca, opportunities are available in hundreds of communities across the province.