Saskatchewan had the lowest unemployment rate in Canada in February 2013, at 3.8 per cent (seasonally adjusted), the lowest since November 2008 when it was 3.7 per cent and well below the national rate of 7.0 per cent.
Job numbers continued to climb in February, up 24,600 to 546,200 jobs, the most ever for the month of February (seasonally unadjusted). Jobs were up by 4.7 per cent in February 2013 over last February, the second-highest among Canadian provinces.
"So far 2013 is looking like another outstanding year for the Saskatchewan economy with job increases leading the way," Economy Minister Bill Boyd said. "Growing job numbers is all part of the plan to grow our economy, and we will continue with initiatives that will make sure people of our province are able to fill those opportunities."
Full-time employment was up by 21,400 and part-time jobs increased by 3,000 on a year-over-year basis.
Other highlights:
In February, Regina's unemployment rate was 3.7 per cent, down from 4.1 per cent in January and from 4.4 per cent a year ago. Saskatoon's unemployment rate was 4.7 per cent, down from 5.3 per cent in January 2013, and down from 6.0 per cent a year ago. Regina had the lowest unemployment rate among major Canadian cities, and Saskatoon had the fourth lowest.
The youth unemployment rate was 9.2 per cent, the lowest among the provinces and below the national rate of 13.6 per cent.
Regina's employment was up by 6,500 (5.3 per cent) and Saskatoon's employment was up by 9,200 (6.3 per cent).
Off-reserve Aboriginal employment was up by 800 from February last year (2.0 per cent).
