Over 22,000 jobs created in Sask. as province records lowest unemployment in Canada

It was good news for Saskatchewan on the employment front on Friday, with the latest job figures released by Statistics Canada.

In the StatsCan report for July 2024, Saskatchewan fared better than the national average with the unemployment rate sitting at 5.4 per cent, a drop of 0.1 per cent.

The national unemployment rate is 6.4 per cent.

Over the last year job numbers in Saskatchewan have increased, with a total of 22,900 new jobs being created. Of those 16,600 of them were full time positions, while 6,300 of them were part time jobs.

Jeremy Harrison, Minister of Trade and Export Development and Minister of Immigration and Career Training, said the growth in both part time and full time jobs is very encouraging.

“The fact that you’re seeing both rising … speaks to the fact that there’s more opportunity,” said Harrison. “The fact that we have the lowest unemployment rate in the country speaks to that as well.”

Most of Saskatchewan’s jobs were create in Regina and Saskatoon.

“(in) Regina nearly 3,000 new jobs,” said Harrison. “Saskatoon showed incredible job growth, nearly 8,000 jobs created.”

Most jobs were created in the retail and trade export sectors, where companies rely on getting products not only across Canada but across the globe

Harrison said this means there are very real chances for people in this province right now.

“It means there’s a genuine opportunity to build your family, build your business,” said Harrison. “And expand your opportunity and build your career right here in Saskatchewan, and that’s not always been the case.”

July 2024 also saw historical all time highs in the province:

• Saskatchewan’s labour force reached 652,800;
• Saskatchewan’s full-time employment reached 514,700;
• Saskatchewan’s male employment reached 335,500; and
• Saskatchewan’s off-reserve Indigenous population reaching 113,900.

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