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Saskatchewan’s employment holds strong, unemployment rate remains lowest in Canada For the fifth consecutive month, Saskatchewan has the lowest unemployment rate in Canada and there are more people working full-time in Saskatchewan than ever before in the province’s history. Saskatchewan’s July unemployment rate of 4.9 per cent (seasonally adjusted) was well below the national average of 7.2 per cent. Unemployment rates in Regina (5.2 per cent) and Saskatoon (5.4 per cent) rank second and fourth among major Canadian cities. “Today’s numbers show t h a t S a s k a t c h e wa n ’s economy remains strong and steady despite the economic uncertainty south of the border and in other parts of the world,” Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris said, August 5. “With the lowest unemployment rate in Canada and our growing population, more people are experiencing firsthand the Saskatchewan Advantage.” There were 532,600 people employed in Saskatchewan in July 2011, the highest level for that month, and an increase of 2,200 jobs compared to July 2010.
A tale of tall proportion . . . Saskatchewan storyteller, singer, songwriter, Bonnie Logan, entertains kids at the Biggar Lionel A. Jones Wheatland Library last Wednesday. Logan, formerly of Biggar, Full-time employment reached a record high of 452,500, increasing by 10,300 (2.3 per cent) from a year ago. Off-reserve Aboriginal employment was up by 3,300 (8.5 per
cent). Employment among Aboriginal youth was also up by 500 (five per cent), marking 12 consecutive months of year-over-year increases. “The future remains
tickled the kids’ funny bone with her whimsical tales of nature, monsters and getting along with one another. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
optimistic for our province,” Norris indicated. “Seven major economic forecasters place Saskatchewan’s real GDP growth rate at 3.7 per cent in 2011, second highest in Canada.
“There are a multitude of employment opportunities available in every corner of the province,” Norris said. “Our SaskJobs.ca Web site saw a 40 per cent year-over-year increase
in the number of jobs posted by employers in July -- demonstrating that Saskatchewan continues to be the place to live, work and raise a family.”
Safety of Saskatchewan families at risk after Environment Canada job cuts, says Lingenfelter In light of Environment Canada’s announcement
of over 700 job cuts including meteorologists,
chemists, biologists and other scientists, NDP Leader Dwain Lingenfelter called on Premier Wall to formalize a strategy to ensure the health and safety of Saskatchewan families is not compromised. “The extent of these job cuts is very worrisome, especially here in Saskatchewan where we
Splishing and a Splashing . . . The Biggar Aquatic Centre’s water slide gets a workout last week as temperatures started to climb. For kids at the pool, the slide is a welcome bit of fun on the hot, dog-days of summer. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
are affected by extreme weather conditions i n c l u d i n g t o r n a d o e s, heavy rainfall and blizzard conditions. The health and safety of Saskatchewan families must be the primary concern of the Wall government and with the extent of the job cuts by Environment Canada, that health and safety may now be at risk,” Lingenfelter said, August 8. “Air quality, water quality, weather predictions and more are all now put into question. Farming communities are very worried that these cuts will have an effect on crops, animals and agriculture. It’s imperative that Premier Wall ensure Saskatchewan families that a strategy
is in place,” Lingenfelter continued. “I have sent a formal letter to the Federal Environment Minister requesting more clarity and voicing the NDP’s concern regarding the safety of Saskatchewan families. Many questions remain regarding exactly when the job cuts will take place and how families will be ensured that critical, scientific roles are not left vacant. Saskatchewan families deserve more from their government. It is a priority of the NDP to help build a greener, more sustainable Saskatchewan and Canada and protect the health and safety of our citizens,” Lingenfelter concluded.