| Job growth in Saskatchewan outpaced by other provinces | | Print | |
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6 January 2012 Job growth is largely stagnant in Saskatchewan with most other provinces outpacing us, according to a new report from Statistics Canada. While 3,100 jobs were added in Saskatchewan over the last year, neighbouring Manitoba added 5,800 jobs and employment in Alberta skyrocketed by 98,200 jobs. The only provinces to add fewer jobs than Saskatchewan were New Brunswick and Quebec. The number of people employed in Saskatchewan last month was the lowest it has been since May, 2011. “It’s concerning that our province is at the bottom of the pack for job creation,” NDP employment critic Cam Broten said. “With 26,100 people unemployed and looking for work in our province, the Sask. Party should recognize that sluggish job growth is a problem." Broten noted that the First Nations unemployment rate is 20.7 per cent – an increase of 6.8 per cent under the Sask. Party government’s watch since the end of 2007. The Métis unemployment rate is 11.2 per cent – an increase of 2 per cent since the end of 2007. “We can do better when it comes to employment of First Nations and Métis people,” Broten said. “Instead of solely focusing on recruiting workers from overseas, the Sask. Party government needs to make First Nations and Métis employment a real priority. A good first step would be to reinstate the Aboriginal Employment Development Program which the Sask. Party scrapped.” According to Statistics Canada, the regions that lost the most jobs over the last year were Swift Current-Moose Jaw (-1,700 jobs) and Prince Albert-Northern (-4,400 jobs). Number of people employed May 2011: 535,900
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