Sask. gained 1,500 jobs in November, unemployment at 5.1 per cent

Saskatchewan’s 5.1 per cent unemployment rate was second-lowest among all provinces in November, as the province added 1,500 jobs.

According to the provincial government, Saskatchewan’s jobless rate came in below the national rate of 5.8 per cent, and the province added 19,300 jobs when compared to November of 2022.

In November, 599,600 people were working in Saskatchewan.

Jeremy Harrison, Saskatchewan’s immigration and career training minister, said the numbers show that efforts to train, recruit and retain more workers are paying dividends.

“Our government will continue our work to grow our economy, strengthen our labour force, and support Saskatchewan employers, ensuring that Saskatchewan remains the best place to work, live and settle in Canada,” Harrison said in a statement.

Major year-over-year job gains were seen in professional, scientific and technical services, the government noted. Both Saskatoon and Regina saw employment rise by more than 10,000 when compared to last November.

Saskatchewan was also the top province in Canada for GDP growth and retail trade, the government noted, with Statistics Canada’s latest figures pegging the province’s 2022 GDP at $76.7 billion.