Sask. continues trend of year-over-year job growth

Saskatchewan’s employment increased in July compared to July of 2018, giving the province 12 straight months of year-over-year job growth.

According to a Statistics Canada survey released Friday, Saskatchewan’s employment grew by two per cent over the previous July.

The provincial government pointed out in a media release that private sector jobs increased by 6,300. The biggest gains were reported in the sectors of accommodation and food services, agriculture, and health care and social assistance.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the province dropped from 6.5 per cent in July of 2018 to 5.4 per cent last month.

However, the StatsCan report also showed that Saskatchewan lost 10,900 full-time jobs between June and July of this year. Over the same period, the number of part-time jobs in the province grew by 8,800.

The province’s unemployment rate increased from 5.1 per cent in June to 5.4 per cent in July.

Regina’s employment was up by 3,600 jobs year over year, but the city’s employment in July fell by 1,500 jobs from June.