Saskatchewan added 15,000 jobs in January compared with a year earlier, posting the second-highest job growth rate among the provinces, according to new data from Statistics Canada.
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The province’s unemployment rate sat at 5.3 per cent in January, the second lowest in the country and below the national average of 6.5 per cent.
Full-time employment rose by 19,600 positions year-over-year, an increase of four per cent.
“Saskatchewan is starting 2026 off with 15,000 jobs added to our economy,” said Immigration and Career Training Minister Eric Schmalz in a statement. He said the government is working with industry and employers to ensure they have access to the workforce needed to fill available jobs.
The province’s two largest cities also reported employment gains compared with January 2025. Employment in Regina increased by 7,900 jobs, up 5.5 per cent, while Saskatoon added 3,200 jobs, a 1.6 per cent increase.
Health care and social assistance led year-over-year sector growth, rising by 11,200 jobs, an increase of 11.6 per cent. Other services, including personal and repair services, climbed by 5,000 jobs, up 20.6 per cent. Accommodation and food services increased by 2,900 positions, a gain of 9.8 per cent.
The provincial government said Saskatchewan also ranked first among provinces in 2025 for growth in urban housing starts, second for year-to-date new motor vehicle sales and third for the value of building permits.
The government attributed the growth to its labour market and investment strategies, including its Building the Workforce for a Growing Economy plan and Securing the Next Decade of Growth investment attraction strategy, aimed at boosting private capital investment in the province.
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