Province touts latest labour force statistics, says on track to meet 2030 jobs target

The Saskatchewan government says it is on track to meet its goal of 100,000 new jobs by the end of the decade.

Saskatchewan also has the second-lowest unemployment rate in the country, the provincial government found.

The NDP opposition balked at the bragging rights of the Saskatchewan Party. Chairwoman Carla Beck criticized Premier Scott Moe for having what the NDP called “the worst employment record in Canada”.

“He’s all hat and no cattle,” Beck said. “Any prime minister with Moe’s record should be working around the clock until our economy actually reaches its potential.”

Saskatchewan Party MLA Ken Cheveldayoff touted the labor statistics during a media crum at EnviroWay Detergent Manufacturing on the outskirts of Saskatoon on Friday. According to the province, the province’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.3 percent, the second-lowest among provinces (only behind Quebec at 4.1 percent) and below the national average of five percent.

The February unemployment rate fell from 4.6 percent in February 2022 and was unchanged from last January.

The province boasted record-high labor statistics in February, including total labor force (608,500), male employment (305,100), female employment (274,900) and non-reserve indigenous employment (61,100).

Non-reserve Native employment rose 2,700 (or 4.6 percent) year-on-year, marking 27 consecutive months of year-on-year increases, according to the province. Employment of Indigenous youth also rose by 1,800 (or 20 percent) for the third straight month of year-on-year gains.

Full-time employment increased by 8,000 (1.7 percent), part-time employment by 1,400 (1.3 percent). The province’s private sector grew by 3,500 (1.1 percent), while the number of self-employed increased by 1,300 (1.6 percent).

According to the state, growth of around 5,000 (19.8 percent) was recorded in freelance, scientific and technical services compared to the previous year; of around 3,300 (3.8 percent) for health care and social assistance; of around 2,900 (10.2 percent) for accommodation and catering services; and 2,900 (5.7 percent) for the educational service.

The province on Friday also reported an all-time high population of people aged 15 and over at 913,700, as well as an all-time high of the Indigenous population aged 15 and over outside the reserve at 110,700.