After five months of year-over-year job losses, Saskatchewan鈥檚 job creation numbers are back in positive territory. Employment in Saskatchewan increased by 800 in July 2016 over last July, according to numbers released today by Statistics Canada.
鈥淚t鈥檚 good to see our employment numbers reflecting stability in the labour market, particularly considering the challenges the economy has encountered on account of persistently low global commodity prices,鈥� Immigration, Jobs, Skills and Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said.聽 鈥淟ow resource prices will still mean challenges in the months ahead, but Saskatchewan鈥檚 economy is diverse and resilient and I think we will continue to see gradual improvement in job creation in our province.鈥�
During the same 12 month period, Manitoba鈥檚 economy created 4,400 new jobs while Alberta lost 59,300 jobs.
Saskatchewan鈥檚 seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.3 per cent in July, the third lowest among the provinces. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 6.9 per cent.
Other July 2016 highlights include:
Major year-over-year gains were reported for trade, up 3,700; public administration, up 2,900; and professional, scientific and technical services, up 2,300.
Off-reserve Aboriginal employment was up 500 (+1.1 per cent).聽 Aboriginal youth employment was up 800 (+9.6 per cent) for three consecutive months of year-over-year increases.
Youth unemployment rate was 12.3 per cent (seasonally adjusted), second lowest among the provinces, behind British Columbia (9.8 per cent), and below the national rate of 13.3 per cent.
