Saskatchewan’s economy holding steady despite major COVID-19 mismanagement from the provincial government
The job numbers released by Statistics Canada for September 2021 show Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate fell to 6.3 per cent from 7.1 per cent a year ago, and well below the national average of 6.9 per cent (seasonally adjusted).
Saskatchewan gained 11,500 jobs in September 2021 compared to the same period last year. This represents an increase of 2.0 per cent. Month-to-month seasonally adjusted employment increased by 5,300 (+0.9 per cent) from August 2021, above the national increase of 0.8 per cent.
“Saskatchewan’s economy continues to show resilience as it has throughout the pandemic, with more job gains and a low unemployment rate,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “As our economy continues to recover and grow, we’ll see even more good jobs and opportunities for Saskatchewan people in the months ahead.”
Off-reserve Aboriginal employment was up 7,000 jobs (+13.1 per cent) for 10 consecutive months of year-over-year increases to an all-time historical high of 60,600 jobs, 51,200 of those jobs being full-time. Aboriginal youth employment was up 4,100 jobs (+47.1 per cent) for six consecutive months of year-over-year increases to an all-time historical high of 12,800 jobs.
Major year-over-year gains were reported for wholesale and retail trade with 9,300 jobs up, healthcare and social assistance up 7,000 jobs and manufacturing up 3,700 jobs. Over the same period, the private sector was up 18,000 jobs (+5.6 per cent), female employment increased by 5,900 jobs (+2.3 per cent) and youth employment was up 7,300 jobs (+9.8 per cent).
Saskatchewan’s youth unemployment rate was 9.1 per cent, the second-lowest among the provinces and well below the national average of 11.3 per cent (seasonally adjusted).
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