Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate was 4.7 per cent (seasonally adjusted) in August 2015, down from 5.2 per cent in July.
For 23 straight months, Saskatchewan has had the lowest unemployment rate among the provinces. In Au-gust, the national unemployment rate was 7.0 per cent.
“Saskatchewan continues to lead the nation with the lowest unemployment rate in large part due to the private sector creating new jobs,” Immigration, Jobs, Skills and Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “Small businesses in the province are more optimistic according to a recent poll by the Canadian Federation of Business (CFIB), they are creating jobs for Saskatchewan people, as well as creating growth that will help keep Saskatchewan strong.”
The CFIB Business Optimism Barometer for Au-gust was released last week. It shows that optimism has rebounded in Saskatchewan, jumping more than seven points to 61.9 in August, the highest level since November 2014 and well ahead of the national index of 56.7.
Employment reached an all-time high in the month of August, with 578,700 people working, up 1,600 (0.3 per cent) when compared to last August, and up 4,000 (0.7 per cent) compared to July (seasonally adjusted).
Other highlights include:
- Private sector employment was up 17,900 (up 5.5 percent) from a year ago for the third consecutive month of year-over-year increases.
- The number of people participating in the labour force (working and looking for work) reached an all-time high of 615,500.
- Major year-over-year gains were reported for health care and social assistance up 7,300; accommodation and food services up 3,300; business, building and other sup-port services up 3,200.
- Off-reserve Aboriginal employment was up 1,700 (+3.9 per cent) for six consecutive months of year-over-year increases.
- The youth unemployment rate was 10.0 per cent(seasonally adjusted), lowest among the provinces, and below the national rate of 13.1 per cent.
