The June unemployment rate in Saskatchewan was 4.7 per cent (seasonally adjusted), down from 4.9 per cent in May (seasonally adjusted), and once again the lowest among all provinces, according to numbers released by Statistics Canada. June marked an all-time high for employment as well as the 21st consecutive month that Saskatchewan had the lowest unemployment rate in Canada. Nationally, unemployment was 6.8 per cent in June.
“Maintaining the low-est unemployment rate is thanks to the hard work of Saskatchewan people and our strong, diversified economy that continues to create jobs,” Minister of Immigration, Jobs, Skills and Training Jeremy Harrison said. “One of the initiatives that helps maintain the lowest rate is our government’s investment in training for in-demand jobs. This helps employers fill their labour needs and helps Saskatchewan people get good jobs that they can turn into rewarding careers.”
Employment in the province reached a record 589,100, an increase of 7,500 compared to June 2014 (1.3 per cent in-crease). Among the provinces, Saskatchewan had the third highest percent-age increase.
Other highlights include:
- Month-to-month seasonally adjusted employment increased by 700 from May 2015;
- Year-over-year, the labour force was up 13,700 (2.3 per cent increase);
- Full-time employment reached a record high of 488,600 for the month of June, up by 900 from a year ago, and part-time increased by 6,600 from a year ago;
- Major year-over-year gains were reported for health care and social assistance up 6,400; accommodation and food services up 3,500; and information, culture and recreation up 2,990; and
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Off-reserve Aboriginal employment was up 1,600 (up 3.7 per cent) for four consecutive months of year-over-year increases.
