Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate shot up almost a full percentage point in December 2020.
Statistics Canada reported Friday the province’s unemployment rate last month was 7.8 per cent, up from 6.9 per cent in November.
It is the second consecutive month the rate went up, after dropping to 6.4 per cent in October, the lowest point the rate has been since the start of the pandemic.
The federal agency said employment fell by 6,700, led by losses in full-time work.
Job losses were felt in most industries, StatCan said, including agriculture, accommodation and food services, and manufacturing.
Gains were reported in wholesale and retail trade, and in professional, scientific and technical services.
StatCan reported the highest unemployment rate in the 15-24 age group at 14.2 per cent — 22.7 per cent for men and 10.6 per cent for women.
Nationally, the unemployment rate rose 0.1 percentage point to 8.6 per cent in December as StatCan said the economy lost 63,000 jobs.
Statistics Canada said its report was a snapshot of the labour market conditions as of the week of Dec. 6 to 12.
The agency noted additional public health measures implemented by many provinces since then will likely be reflected in January’s labour force numbers.
— WIth a file from The Canadian Press