10,600 MORE SASKATCHEWAN PEOPLE WORKING IN SEPTEMBER

Statistics Canada released new job figures for September 2012 today which indicate Saskatchewan had an increase of 10,600 jobs compared to a year ago. There were 540,800 people working in the province, an all-time high for the month of September. This was a 2.0 per cent growth rate, the second highest among the provinces.

"As 2012 moves to a close, Saskatchewan's job market continues to show no signs of cooling," Economy Minister Bill Boyd said. "With an increase of more than 10,000 people working in the province today than a year ago, with population at record levels, and with other key economic indicators showing significant strength, we remain confident."

Saskatchewan had the second lowest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in September at 4.7 per cent, well below the 7.4 per cent recorded on a national basis.

Other highlights include:

• Full-time employment increased by 13,500 and part-time decreased by 2,900 from a year ago.
• Regina's employment was up by 1,100 (0.9 per cent), and Saskatoon's employment was up by 10,200 (7.1 per cent). Month-to-month, Regina's employment was up by 800 (0.6 per cent) and Saskatoon's employment was up by 500 (0.3 per cent).
• Year-over-year, industries with large employment gains were construction (+6,500), educational services (+4,400), agriculture (+2,500), and business, building and other support services (+1,400). 
• Year-over-year, jobs have been increasing for 10 months in a row.

"These are strong job numbers to support our growing economy," Boyd said. "It looks like this year could be another record year that positions Saskatchewan as having one of the best economies in the nation."

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For more information, contact:

Deb Young
Economy
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6315
Email: deb.young@enterprisesask.ca