Saskatchewan job numbers show different outlook depending on perspective

REGINA – The job numbers from January have been released by Statistics Canada, and depending on who you ask they paint a different picture for Saskatchewan.

“Our economy created 5,200 new jobs year over year. That’s with a loss of 1,900 resource jobs,” Premier Brad Wall said.

“Obviously that’s very serious, and something that we’re mindful of.”

The provincial unemployment rate did climb to a seasonally adjusted 5.6 per cent from 5.5 per cent in December. However Saskatchewan is still below the 7.2 per cent national average.

Wall said that Saskatchewan is in good shape due to a diverse economy. He pointed to the growth in 3,400 trades jobs since last January, and science based jobs which rose by 2,300 positions since last year.

Across the aisle, the NDP accused the premier of boasting about job creation when there are 36,600 unemployed adults in the province looking for work.

In addition to resource losses, the NDP are pointing out drops in construction and education, losing 2,200 and 4,700 jobs respectively since last January.

Finance critic Trent Wotherspoon also called the government into question on foreign contracts.

“They make choices around procurement, and this is a premier and a government that’s blown billions of dollars outside of Saskatchewan on foreign corporations instead of opportunities and jobs here in Saskatchewan.”