Saskatchewan's unemployment rate remains the lowest in Canada for the thirteenth consecutive month. According to figures released by Statistics Canada today, the province's rate currently sits at 4.3 per cent, and well below the national average of 7.0 per cent.
The province's youth unemployment was 7.5 per cent in January - also the lowest in the country. The national youth unemployment rate was 13.9 per cent.
"Last year we saw record-breaking job numbers, low unemployment rates and so much optimism on the jobs front in this province," Economy Minister Bill Boyd said. "Once again our province is proving that we have more people working in Saskatchewan than ever before and that the momentum from 2013 has clearly sustained itself."
Compared to January 2013, employment is up by 5,500 jobs, an increase of 1.0 per cent (third largest gain in the country). On a year-over-year basis, job growth was particularly strong in utilities (up 1,700 or 31.5 per cent); business, building and other support services (up 2,100 or 19.3 per cent) and transportation and warehousing (4,100 or 16.1 per cent).
"Saskatchewan employers are doing their part to keep our economy moving forward, and we are seeing this progress with more jobs compared to last year," Boyd said. "We continue to have the strongest job market in the nation."
Other highlights include:
Saskatoon had the lowest unemployment rate among major cities in the country at 4.3 per cent (tied with Quebec City). Regina was next at 4.4 per cent.
Compared to January 2013, full-time employment grew by 10,200 whereas part-time employment fell 4,600.
Compared to January 2013, off-reserve Aboriginal employment was up by 2,600 (6.5 per cent) for 12 consecutive months of year-over-year increases.
Aboriginal unemployment rate stood at 12.0 per cent in January 2014 - down from 14.6 per cent a year ago.
