5,100 jobs lost with Sask. Party still planning to cut more

Between February and March, 5,100 jobs were lost in Saskatchewan, and more families are facing a tough reality with deep cuts, tax hikes, and more job loss looming in the Sask. Party’s budget.

“The Sask. Party's spin provides no comfort to the 5,100 more families who have lost a job this month," said NDP Jobs Critic Warren McCall. “And that spin provides no comfort to the people who work for STC or in our libraries and our classrooms, and on the frontline of health care and seniors care who know they are the target of the Sask. Party cuts. It’s especially concerning considering we’ve been hearing about job losses coming as a result of the Sask. Party’s cuts to education, libraries, and the STC in their budget.”

While Saskatchewan is one of only three provinces in which jobs were lost over the last month, Alberta saw 20,000 new jobs created.

McCall said it is deeply concerning to see off-reserve First Nation unemployment climb back over 20 per cent.

The construction industry was one of the hardest hit sectors, with 1,800 jobs lost month-to-month and 4,600 jobs year-over-year. McCall notes that the Sask. Party’s new six per cent tax on construction projects will certainly hurt the industry and not help to reverse the job losses.

“Many Saskatchewan families are struggling, but we haven’t seen any concrete action from the Sask. Party to build a diversified and sustainable economy that will create jobs,” McCall said. “The cuts and tax hikes in the budget are hurting people all over Saskatchewan, and they are the ones who are having to pay for the Sask. Party’s mismanagement, scandal and waste.”

Some sectors with noteworthy job losses:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance lost 800 jobs month-to-month and 2,200 jobs year-to-year;
  • Educational Services lost 1,200 jobs month-to-month and 400 jobs year-to-year;
  • Agriculture lost 900 jobs month-to-month and 4,400 jobs year-over-year.

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