Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate has risen for the third consecutive month, now at 5.4 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. NDP Leader Carla Beck posits that this disputes the province’s claims about economic growth for everyone. Beck says the Sask Party under Premier Scott Moe has the worst job creation record in the country at 0.9 per cent in August compared to August of 2022.

A news release from the provincial government instead highlights that from July to Augst, 2,800 new jobs were created, ranking Saskatchewan third in the country. The provincial news release indicates Saskatchewan’s largest cities also saw year over year growth in August, with Regina’s unadjusted employment up 9,500, an increase of 6.7 per cent, and Saskatoon’s employment was up 3,700, an increase of 1.9 per cent when compared to August 2022.

NDP Finance Critic Aleana Young adds that the Statistics Canada report on the value of building permits indicate a continuing drop in Saskatchewan. July’s month over month numbers show that the seasonally adjusted value of building permits has decreased by $49 million or 23.5 per cent. Young says the drop in building permits is a clear, troubling economic indicator – an early indicator of a slumping economy.