ANOTHER YEAR TO YEAR DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF EI RECIPIENTS IN SASKATCHEWAN

The number of Saskatchewan people receiving regular Employment Insurance benefits has dropped year-over-year for the 20th consecutive month.

There were 9,600 beneficiaries receiving regular EI benefits in Saskatchewan in November 2011, a decrease of 3,250 compared to a year ago. Saskatchewan had a 25.3 per cent decrease in the total number of beneficiaries from a year ago, the fourth largest decrease among provinces.

"The latest drop in the number of EI recipients from Saskatchewan reflects the continued strength of our province's labour market," Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris said.

When expressed as a percentage of the total labour force population, Saskatchewan has the 2nd fewest number of people receiving EI benefits in Canada at 1.2 per cent. Alberta is the lowest at 1.0 per cent.

In Regina, the number of regular EI beneficiaries decreased by 430 (-35.2 per cent) and in Saskatoon, the number of regular EI beneficiaries decreased by 490 (-26.9 per cent). Regina currently holds the lowest unemployment rate among Canadian cities at 3.8 per cent, Saskatoon is ranked fifth lowest at 5.4 per cent.

"With one of the fastest growing economies in the country, a growing population and with a low unemployment rate, we look forward to even more opportunities in the future for both workers and employers," Norris said.

More than 10,000 jobs are listed on saskjobs.ca today.

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For more information, contact:

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