Labour force statistics indicate the Swift Current/Moose Jaw region had 700 fewer unemployed workers when July ended than in June.
The region had 5,000 unemployed at July 3, a reduction from 5,700 at the end of June, according to the Statistics Canada monthly labour force survey.
Businesses added 1,400 jobs as numbers of employed increased from 48,600 in June to 50,000 while the region’s economy recovered in the re-opening after the pandemic lockdown. Last July payrolls had 51,300 persons.
The region’s unemployment rate of 9.1 per cent was tied for third lowest of the province’s five regions but well above the 4.3 per cent of one year ago.
Highest unemployment rate among the regions was 14.5 per cent in Prince Albert northern region compared with 6.8 per cent a year ago.
Second-highest rate was 12 per cent in Saskatoon-Biggar, which was 5.6 per cent a year ago.
Tied for third-lowest rate were Swift Current/Moose Jaw and Regina-Moose Mountain at 9.1 per cent. One year ago both regions had 4.3 per cent unemployed.
Yorkton-Mellville unemployment rate of 7.3 per cent compared with 2.5 per cent a year ago.
Saskatchewan added 12,000 private sector jobs in July, lost 3,100 public sector jobs and lost 3,000 self-employed jobs last month.
Major sources of private sector job gains were: information, culture and recreation, 3,000; accommodation and food, 2,800; and finance, 1,500.
Ron Walter can be reached at [email protected]
