Job numbers released by the Government of Saskatchewan for May show that while things are far from perfect, compared to other provinces in Canada, the news isn’t all that bad.
The most prominent number, of course, is the unemployment rate. For the month of May, that number sat at 12.5 per cent, more than a full percentage point better than the national rate of 13.7 per cent.
Saskatchewan added 600 jobs compared to April, and 87 per cent of those who were working in February were still doing so in May. The total number of hours worked in the province fell by 9.1 per cent over that same time span, a number that shows the greatest discrepancy compared to the rest of Canada – the average decline nationally was 19.3 per cent.
“The Saskatchewan workforce is still being seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic but there are a number of signs that show Saskatchewan’s economy is both recovering faster, and was less impacted, than other provinces,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said in a press release. “We have the second lowest unemployment rate in Canada and the number of people working rose in May, which is a strong, positive sign in the COVID-19 era. The Saskatchewan economy is positioned to strongly improve as we move forward with the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.”
Phase 3 of the Re-Open plan is set to begin Monday and will likely have an even greater effect on employment numbers as restaurants and licensed establishments open alongside a host of other long-shuttered businesses.
Saskatchewan saw good news on that front as well, with fewer closing permanently than other provinces. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Saskatchewan's business barometer index grew by 7.1 points in the second half of May 2020 compared to the first half – the highest growth among provinces compared to a 0.7 point decline in the national index.
“Looking forward, we are seeing positive economic news in Saskatchewan, including announcements about helium and lithium recently,” Harrison said. “These new investments will bring jobs and investment to communities across the province and will help lift our economy out of the current challenges facing markets globally.”
