Yet another Statistics Canada report has highlighted the Sask. Party's failure to protect and create jobs in Saskatchewan.
Newfoundland and Labrador was the only other province that did not benefit from a Canada wide upswing in the number of people with jobs. In fact, the Payroll Employment Earnings and Hours report shows that there are currently fewer employees in Saskatchewan than any time in the last five years.
“Time and time again the Sask. Party’s headlines and talking points simply don't reflect the realities being faced by Saskatchewan families every today,” said NDP Jobs Critic Trent Wotherspoon. “The Sask. Party needs to wake up and realize that their callous cuts, desperate sell-offs and unfair tax hikes on families and job-creating industries aren't making our province stronger – they are making things harder on Saskatchewan people.”
The report shows that 5,600 fewer people are employed this year than last. This report supports the troubling unemployment rates released earlier this month, which saw Saskatoon’s rate jump to over 8 per cent – the highest it has been in the last two decades.
The report also shows that since this time last year, while every other province saw an increase in the number of people working in educational services, Saskatchewan saw 2,000 of these jobs cut.
Saskatchewan also had the slowest GDP growth outside of Atlantic Canada, while Alberta GDP growth is rising the fastest in Canada.
“Instead of trying to help create more jobs, the Sask. Party keeps announcing more cuts. The thousands across this province who are struggling to find steady employment deserve better from their government,” Wotherspoon said. “The Sask. Party must stop focusing on their backroom schemes and desperate sell-offs and start focusing on getting these hardworking people back to work and creating a strong and sustainable economy for us all.”