Sask. posts third-best unemployment rate in Canada in December

Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows Saskatchewan set more employment records in December.

The data shows Saskatchewan’s full-time employment was 494,200 and total employment reached 600,200. Unemployment fell by 2.8 per cent between November and December.

A media release from the provincial government said Saskatchewan added 22,100 full-time jobs year over year, placing the province second in Canada in terms of percentage change at 3.8 per cent.

Saskatchewan had a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in December of 5.0 per cent, behind only Manitoba (4.2 per cent) and Quebec (4.7 per cent). Canada’s unemployment rate held steady at 5.8 per cent in December.

“Saskatchewan is seeing remarkable job growth numbers with records broken month after month,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said in the release. “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.”

According to the province, Regina’s employment was up by 11,300 — an increase of 8.1 per cent — from December of 2022. Saskatoon’s employment was up 11,500 year over year for an increase of 6.1 per cent.

In December, Regina’s unemployment rate was 4.9 per cent (down from 5.2 per cent in November) while Saskatoon’s was 5.6 per cent (up from 5.4 per cent in November).