Saskatchewan ended 2014 on top, maintaining the lowest unemployment rate in Canada for the 25th consecutive month. The province’s unemployment rate in December was 3.6 per cent (seasonally adjusted), well below the national average of 6.6 per cent, according to figures released by Statistics Canada today.
The province’s youth also followed this trend, with a 6.8 per cent (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate, the lowest youth unemployment rate in the country and below the 13.3 per cent national average.
Saskatchewan also boasts the second strongest rate of job growth in Canada at 2.5 per cent year-over-year (unadjusted).
“Saskatchewan’s diverse economy continues to create jobs,” Minister responsible for Immigration, Jobs, Skills and Training Jeremy Harrison said. “Compared to December 2013, there are 14,000 more people working in our province, including an all-time record of women working. In total, there were 567,700 people working in the province in December – the highest ever for the month.”
On an annual basis (2014 over 2013), job growth was particularly strong in utilities (up 15.5 per cent); forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas (up 10.3 per cent); and construction (up 7.7 per cent).
Overall, 2014 was a strong year for Saskatchewan’s labour market. The province recorded the lowest average unemployment rate in the nation at 3.7 per cent (seasonally adjusted), and created 10,800 more jobs (a jump of 1.9 per cent over 2013). Between 2007 and 2014, a total of 61,700 more jobs were created in the province – the second largest percentage growth among the provinces.
Other highlights include:
Regina unemployment rate was 3.3 per cent (seasonally adjusted), the lowest among major cities, while Saskatoon unemployment rate of 3.7 per cent (seasonally adjusted) was second lowest.
There were 17,400 (unadjusted) full-time jobs created compared to last December.
Regina’s employment was up 3,000 (an increase of 2.3 per cent, unadjusted) and Saskatoon’s employment was up 7,900 (a jump of 4.8 per cent, unadjusted) compared to last December.
