ANOTHER DROP IN THE NUMBER OF EI RECIPIENTS IN SASKATCHEWAN

The number of people in Saskatchewan receiving Employment Insurance (EI) dropped significantly in December, 2011, compared to the same month in 2010, for 21 consecutive months of year-over-year decreases.

There were 10,050 beneficiaries receiving regular EI benefits in Saskatchewan, a decrease of 2,230 (18.2 per cent) from December 2010. Each of the province's eight large centres had year-over-year declines in the number of beneficiaries, with the largest occurring in Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw and Prince Albert.

"With increases in average weekly earnings and a growing demand for skilled employees, Saskatchewan workers continue to benefit from a strong and steady economy," Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris said. "There is good reason for optimism with many economic forecasters predicting that Saskatchewan will continue to be an economic leader in the year ahead."

Saskatchewan's decrease in the number of EI recipients was the fourth best among provinces and was larger than the national decrease of 16.7 per cent. In Saskatchewan, 1.2 per cent of the labour force population received regular EI benefits in December compared to 1.9 per cent nationally, ranking Saskatchewan second lowest among provinces, behind Alberta at 1.0 per cent.

"We are focused on keeping EI numbers moving in the right direction," Norris said. "With more than 9,800 jobs posted on SaskJobs.ca, there are many employment opportunities around the province for Saskatchewan job seekers."

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For more information, contact:

Bill Stovin
Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0926