Easing of pandemic restrictions in Saskatchewan during June improved employment prospects slightly.
Payrolls in the region counted 54,300 people in June, an increase of 900 from May as the labour participation rate was 67.3 per cent.
At June 30, the region had 5,700 unemployed, according to the Statistics Canada labour force survey. When June started the region had 5,500 unemployed so June also added 200 more jobless persons.
The unemployment rate in the Swift Current-Moose Jaw region in June was 10.5 per cent, compared with 10.2 per cent in May and 4.9 per cent in June 2019.
Unemployment rates in the other four Saskatchewan regions were also much higher than one year ago.
Highest unemployment rate was Saskatoon Biggar at 13.9 per cent, up from 5.9 a year ago.
Second highest was Regina Moose Mountain at 11.4 per cent, up from 4.6 per cent a year ago.
Third-highest rate was 10.8 per cent in the Prince Albert northern region, up from 6.7 per cent.
Lowest unemployment rate region was Yorkton Melville at 8.5 per cent, compared with four per cent in 2019.
The Saskatchewan unemployment rate of 11.4 per cent, compared with 4.6 per cent last year in June.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
