(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Job Numbers

Another month with drop in jobs for P.A. and northern Saskatchewan

Mar 11, 2022 | 12:00 PM

Prince Albert and northern Saskatchewan are seeing a drop in jobs for the fourth straight month.

According to Statistics Canada, the region lost around 700 positions in February. This after losing 1,100 in January, 1,900 in December, and 1,700 in November.

Out of the five provincial regions, P.A. and northern Saskatchewan have had the worst start to 2022.

Although, a decrease in jobs to start the year isn’t new as the region has had slow starts to the past four years. The last year they had an increase over the first two months of the year was back in 2018.

As for last month, the health care and social assistance sectors had the biggest hit as they lost around 800 spots.

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The construction sector also had a tough February as there were around 600 fewer jobs, however, this is common at this time every year due to the colder weather.

The educational services sector had the best month, adding roughly 500 positions.

Meanwhile, the country’s unemployment rate is at its lowest total since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It currently sits at 5.5 per cent, marking the first time it’s been under six per cent since February 2020.

Saskatchewan is doing one better as the unemployment rate, which is at 4.7 per cent, is the lowest it’s been since April 2015.

P.A. and northern Saskatchewan’s rate is 5.6 per cent, the highest it’s been since June of last year.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow