Saskatchewan added 5,900 jobs year-over-year in October, according to the latest labour force data from Statistics Canada released Nov. 6.
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The province’s unemployment rate stands at 5.9 per cent, the third lowest among Canadian provinces and well below the national average of 6.7 per cent, the Government of Saskatchewan said in a release.
Private sector drives job growth
Growth continues to be led by the private sector, where employment rose by 25,000 positions, a 7.0 per cent increase, the province said.
Manufacturing saw the largest year-over-year gain at 5,400 jobs, up 20.1 per cent, followed by construction, up 5,200 jobs or 10.4 per cent, and health care and social assistance, also up 5,200 jobs, a 5.0 per cent increase.
Youth employment rose by 1,700 jobs, up 2.1 per cent year-over-year.
“Recently released labour force numbers from Statistics Canada show that Saskatchewan’s labour market remains strong, thanks to our strong, steady economy,” said Eric Schmalz, Saskatchewan’s immigration and career training minister.
“As Saskatchewan continues to attract record investment to build our economy, our government is investing in training and development programs to help prepare our workforce for further opportunities ahead,” Schmalz said.
Regina and Saskatoon post gains
Saskatchewan’s two largest cities both posted year-over-year employment growth in October.
Regina’s employment was up 5,300 jobs, a 3.5 per cent increase, while Saskatoon added 400 jobs, up 0.2 per cent, the province said.
The latest figures follow a string of strong reports this year, including data showing Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate among the lowest in Canada and earlier reports that the province had added 15,000 jobs year-over-year in January.
What the data means for the Border City
For Lloydminster-area employers, the provincial numbers offer a broader snapshot of conditions on the Saskatchewan side, where oil and gas activity and agricultural operations remain significant local employers alongside manufacturing and construction.
Gains in construction and manufacturing reported provincewide line up with ongoing building activity in the region, where Saskatchewan has led the country in building permit growth in recent months.
Workers and employers on the Saskatchewan side of the Border City watching for hiring trends can expect the province’s labour market strategy and investment attraction plan to continue shaping job postings in construction, manufacturing and health care through the winter.
Economy outpaces national growth
Statistics Canada’s latest real GDP figures show Saskatchewan’s economy grew 3.1 per cent last year, ahead of the national average of 1.9 per cent, according to the province.
In August 2026, the value of manufacturing sales in Saskatchewan posted the third-highest year-over-year growth among provinces at 32.2 per cent, compared with a national increase of 14.2 per cent, the release said.
The province says the growth is supported by its Building the Workforce for a Growing Economy labour market strategy and its investment attraction strategy, which targets $16 billion in annual private capital investment.
Further labour force updates from Statistics Canada are expected in the coming months as the province continues to track employment trends across sectors and regions.
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