More jobs were created in August but not as many as in July. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Glenn Hicks

jobs

More jobs but rate slows, P.A. sees slight decline

Sep 4, 2020 | 1:00 PM

Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate continues to improve but, like the rest of the country, not at the same rate as previously. The local region also saw some modest improvement.

Statistics Canada said the province stood at a seasonally adjusted jobless rate of 7.9 per cent for August. It was at 8.8 per cent in July.

In a media release the government said that gives Saskatchewan the lowest rate among the provinces and well below the national rate of 10.2 per cent.

“Our provincial economy is demonstrating the strongest recovery in the country from the challenges of the COVID pandemic and it’s thanks to the hard work of Saskatchewan people,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “With the lowest unemployment rate in the nation, it’s clear people are getting back to work and helping our economy recover and grow.”

The government said the unemployment rate for youth (15 to 24 years of age) at 15.3 per cent is also the lowest among the provinces and well below the national unemployment rate of 23.1 per cent (seasonally adjusted).

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The province added 4,700 jobs in August compared to July. That follows a gain of 13,000 jobs the previous month compared to June.

Local stats

In the large region StatsCan classifies as P.A. and Northern – with a total population of 156,000 — the jobless rate was 9.2 per cent for August, an improvement from 9.9 per cent in July.

However, the city of Prince Albert saw the unemployment picture worsen month over month. In August, the rate was 9.7 per cent, compared to 9.1 per cent in July, but that did not take seasonal variations into account.

Prince Albert’s unemployment rate in August 2019 was 7.5 per cent.

National stats

Nationally, Statistics Canada says the economy added 246,000 jobs in August as the pace of job gains slowed compared with July, when 419,000 jobs were added.

The figure marked the fourth consecutive month of gains from COVID-19 related lockdowns this spring, bringing the number to within 1.1 million of pre-pandemic levels.

Gains in August were largely concentrated in full-time work, which had been lagging behind gains in part-time employment.

—

With files from The Canadian Press

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow