EI RECIPIENT NUMBERS CONTINUE TO FALL IN SASKATCHEWAN

For the 19th consecutive month, the number of Saskatchewan people receiving regular Employment Insurance benefits dropped.

There was a year-over-year decrease of 3,360 (-26.0 per cent) regular Employment Insurance recipients in October of compared to October 2010 (seasonally adjusted). This decrease is greater than the national decline of 20.3 per cent.

"Saskatchewan's strong labour market and today's news of decreased Employment Insurance recipients in the province show that the people of Saskatchewan are able to find new employment opportunities, many of them full-time," Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris said.

The Saskatoon area saw a decrease of 480 recipients (-28.7 per cent) for the 11th consecutive decline while the Regina area also saw a decrease of 390 (-38.6 per cent), continuing the trend that began in summer 2010.

"We are continuing to focus on our growth agenda which includes fostering more full-time employment in Saskatchewan," Norris said. "Services at our Career and Employment Services offices continue to be offered and currently there are more than 9,000 jobs available on SaskJobs."

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For more information, contact:

Hayley Woodworth
Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3716