Losses in Saskatchewan
52,900 jobs were lost in Saskatchewan this April, reflecting continued layoffs from the COVID-19 pandemic. Including the drop of almost 21,000 jobs in March, the province’s losses during the pandemic have now totaled 73,800 jobs. With these new numbers, the unemployment rate has reached 11.3%.
Part-time employment made up 24.4% of job losses, while full-time employment contributed to 75.6% of lost jobs. 32,000 people also left the labour market in April, compared to 15,400 in March.
Saskatchewan’s goods-producing sector saw 8,800 job losses in April, following 5,500 losses in March. These losses were mostly from construction (-5,200); manufacturing (-2,200); and forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas (-1,700). A slight increase was seen in agriculture, with 300 new jobs.
In the services sector, 44,100 jobs were lost in April, adding to the 15,500 lost in March. The biggest changes were seen in accommodation and food services (-11,100); wholesale and retail trade (-10,600); health care and social assistance (-5,400) and information, culture, and recreation (-4,800).
Losses in the Saskatoon CMA
In the Saskatoon Region (CMA), job losses reached 9,000, while 4,000 people left the labour market. The Saskatoon Region unemployment rate rose to 9.8%, up from 7.1% in March.
How the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to affect the economy remains uncertain, but the Government of Saskatchewan’s Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan will allow businesses to gradually resume operations in phases. More and more people will be able to return to work as the economy re-opens, with the first phase already underway.
Note: Data is sourced from Statistics Canada and is seasonally adjusted.
