This month’s jobs figures from Statistics Canada shows that Saskatchewan is seeing one of the slowest rates of job growth in the country, and that the Sask. Party has failed to stimulate the economy or create jobs.
“Last year, at this time, we saw a budget that hurt industries and businesses who create jobs across the province,” said NDP Jobs Critic Vicki Mowat. “Saskatchewan can’t afford to have more of the same – where job-creating industries are being hurt by tax hikes and the Sask. Party continues to make short-sighted decisions to make up for their mismanagement.”
Outside of Newfoundland & Labrador, Saskatchewan had the slowest rate of job growth in the country. Saskatchewan’s 0.3 per cent increase in jobs compared to last year was nowhere near the 32,000 additional jobs in British Columbia or 46,600 in Alberta.
The Sask. Party’s PST hike continues to hurt the Food Services industry, as 1,100 jobs were lost compared to last year. A lack of investment and failure to diversify the economy has resulted in 6,500 jobs being lost in professional, scientific and technical services year over year. Meanwhile, 1,200 jobs in agriculture were lost compared to the same time last year and 1,800 jobs were lost in trade. The First Nations employment rate continues to hover around 20 per cent.
“The Sask. Party’s bad management of the economy is leaving Saskatchewan people behind, while our neighboring provinces to the west continue to see more and more people going back to work,” Mowat said. “With so many leaving to find better opportunities in other provinces, we need smart investments from the Sask. Party that will grow the economy and create jobs.”
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