Job numbers grew in Saskatchewan in September

Saskatchewan’s workforce reached an all-time high in September.

According to Statistics Canada figures released Friday, the labour force in the province comprised nearly 616,000 people last month.

That was an increase of 2,300 people from August and 5,200 from September of 2018.

The province recorded its 14th straight month of job growth, with employment increasing by 600 from August. Employment increased by 11,000 from September of last year.

The unemployment rate of 5.3 per cent in September (seasonally adjusted) was down from 6.3 per cent a year earlier.

Saskatchewan tied Ontario for the fourth-lowest unemployment rate in the country at 5.3 per cent. B.C. And Quebec had the lowest such rates (4.8 per cent), with Manitoba next (5.0 per cent).

Saskatchewan reported year-over-year increases in educational services (up 3,900 jobs), manufacturing (an increase of 3,600 jobs) and other services (up 3,200 jobs).

There were 54,000 new jobs created across Canada in September, with the national unemployment rate falling to 5.5 per cent.