The number of Saskatchewan people receiving regular EI benefits has dropped for 15 consecutive months. According to a report today from Statistics Canada, there were 2,670 (20.2 per cent) fewer EI recipients in the province in June 2011 compared to the same month last year.
The overall decrease is punctuated by a drop in initial and renewal claims in June - 0.5 per cent year-over-year and 14.0 per cent month-over-month.
"While we are pleased to see decreases in EI numbers across the board, we know our work is not done," Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris said. "With the lowest unemployment rate in the country and a growing demand for skilled workers, our goal is to ensure even more Saskatchewan people are in a position to seize the opportunities created by economic growth."
When expressed as a percentage of the total labour force population, Saskatchewan has the second fewest number of people receiving EI benefits in Canada at 1.3 per cent - well below the national average of 2.1 percent. Alberta is the lowest at 1.1 per cent.
Norris also pointed to the province's SaskJobs.ca website as a sign of growing opportunity for workers.
"Right now, there are more than 10,000 jobs available across the province on SaskJobs.ca - a 53 per cent increase over this time last year," Norris said.
