EMPLOYMENT JUMPS BY 9,000: MARCH SEES NEW RECORD

With a year-over-year employment increase of 9,000 people, Saskatchewan's March employment total of 520,000 is a record high for that month.

It's also the largest year-over-year employment increase since last July - another sign the economic recovery is now in full swing in Saskatchewan.

March also marks the 10th consecutive month that Saskatchewan has had the lowest unemployment rate in Canada. Saskatchewan's March unemployment rate of 5.1 per cent (seasonally adjusted) sits well below the national rate of 8.2 per cent.

"Saskatchewan workers are finding increasing numbers of opportunities," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. "Looking ahead, recent forecasts suggest that trend will continue in the coming months. This is especially good news as students start looking for summer jobs in the weeks ahead. We are encouraged that over the last month we have seen youth employment increase by 3,000 jobs."

On a year-over-year basis, Saskatchewan saw increases in full-time employment (12,100), employment for women (3,800) and employment for men (5,200). Part-time employment decreased by 3,100.

Among major Canadian cities, Saskatoon (4.3 per cent) and Regina (5.3 per cent) continue to fare well, with the lowest and third lowest unemployment rates in Canada. (Quebec City tied with Saskatoon with a rate of 4.3 per cent). Saskatoon saw an increase of 3,300 jobs over last year.

Norris also pointed to SaskJobs.ca as a key hub for all Saskatchewan job seekers and employers.

"Saskjobs.ca has maintained its momentum from last month, when the site saw more than 10,000 opportunities posted," Norris said. "With more than 6,200 jobs posted today, including 384 summer jobs, SaskJobs is the place to go for Saskatchewan workers and employers."

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For more information, contact:

Christopher Jones-Bonk
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3106