NEW ALL-TIME HIGH FOR EMPLOYMENT IN SASKATCHEWAN

There are more people working in Saskatchewan than ever before, according to the latest employment numbers released today by Statistics Canada.

Employment increased by 10,400 people from May 2011 to May 2012, to an all-time high of 546,300. Saskatchewan's year-over-year growth rate of 1.9 per cent was the second highest among the provinces, behind Alberta.

Saskatchewan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in May decreased to 4.5 per cent from 4.9 per cent a month earlier - tied with Alberta for the lowest rate in the country, and well below the national unemployment rate of 7.3 per cent.

"These positive numbers reflect the province's continuing economic momentum," Economy Minister Bill Boyd said. "With record weekly earnings for workers and high optimism by businesses to expand their operations, future job prospects in Saskatchewan are strong."

Boyd made the comments today at the headquarters of Magna Electric Corporation of Regina, an electrical projects group. The company has grown by 500 per cent since 2007 and plans to hire another 100 employees including engineers, electricians and labourers.

Other highlights from today's report:

• The labour force reached an all-time high of 571,600.
• Full-time employment reached a record high of 448,400 for the month of May, up 9,800 from a year ago.
• Off-reserve Aboriginal employment was up by 1,600 (4.2 per cent) for 12 consecutive months of year-over-year increases.
• Regina's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.9 per cent is the lowest among major Canadian cities while Saskatoon's jobless rate is 5.6 per cent, 8th lowest in the country.

Boyd said there are still plenty of opportunities for people looking for work in Saskatchewan, with more than 11,600 job vacancies currently posted on the SaskJobs.ca website.

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For more information, contact:

Joanne Johnson
Economy
Regina
Phone: 306-787-7967
Email: joanne.johnson@enterprisesask.ca