REGINA - The provincial government is touting strong jobs numbers to end the year 2023.
In a provincial news release, they noted that according to Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey, employment in Saskatchewan reached a record 600,200 in Dec. 2023, adding 22,100 full time jobs year-over-year. That ranked second in the nation with a percentage change of 3.8 per cent. Saskatchewan ended the year with a seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate of five per cent, below the national average of 5.8 per cent.
Saskatchewan also saw an all-time historical population (15 and over) high of 935,700, and an all-time high (15 and over) historical off-reserve Indigenous population ( of 112,100.
Saskatchewan also pointed to record highs for the month of December for
Full-Time Employment at 494,200; Male Employment at 322,400; Female Employment at 277,800; and Off-reserve Indigenous Employment at 64,300.
Compared to December 2022, Regina's employment was up 11,300, an increase of 8.1 per cent, and Saskatoon's employment was up 11,500, an increase of 6.1 per cent.
Off-reserve Indigenous employment was up 3,500, up 5.8 per cent, and Indigenous youth employment was up 5,000 or 52.1 per cent.
Professional, scientific, and technical services was up 9,700 or 33.4 per cent; educational services were up 5,500 or 10.7 per cent; and wholesale and retail trade was up 3,500 or 3.6 per cent.
The provincial news release also pointed to the value of building permits rising 45.6 per cent in Oct. 2023 compared to Oct. 2022 (seasonally adjusted), and urban housing starts up 108.2 per cent in Nov. 2023, compared to Nov. 2022 (unadjusted). Saskatchewan was second among provinces in both areas.
"Saskatchewan is seeing remarkable job growth numbers with records broken month after month," said Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison in a statement.
“This means more opportunity for Saskatchewan's people and a higher quality of life for our population. This growth doesn't just happen. This is the result of the government and employers working closely together to create the conditions for success.”
