SASKATOON — Saskatoon recorded one of the highest employment growths among other cities and metropolitan areas in the nation in 2022, based on data released in January by the Labour Force Survey done by Statistics Canada.
Saskatoon recorded the highest year-over-year employment growth rate in 2022 against 13 other cities with 68.3 per cent, followed by Calgary and Edmonton with 67.7 and 65.6, respectively.
The city also had the third-lowest year-end unemployment rate at 4.3 per cent, with Quebec posting the lowest at 2.9 per cent and Ottawa-Gatineau at 4.1 while Winnipeg and Vancouver are tied fourth at 4.7 per cent. The group average is 5.1 per cent.
The 68.3 per cent recorded by the city means it has the highest share of people working relative to the working-age population.
Saskatoon had the highest year-over-year employment rate (2022 over 2021) with 9.6 per cent, with St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador coming in at second with 9.0 per cent. Calgary is third with 6.9 per cent.
The city’s employment growth and employment rates are higher than the group averages of 64.7 and 4.7 per cent, respectively. The city also had the second-highest labour force participation rate and third-lowest unemployment rate in the Census Metropolitan Area.
The employment growth in the Saskatoon CMA showed it had 16,700 more persons employed in 2022 compared to 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that affected countries’ economies worldwide.
The number is the most significant year-over-year change since 2006 and four times above the long-run annual average of 3,700. Saskatoon’s CMA accounted for 84 per cent of all new employment growth in Saskatchewan last year. Saskatchewan had 19,800 more persons employed in 2022 compared to 2021.
Saskatoon’s long-run employment trend grew by 45.3 per cent as it had more than 59,900 more persons having jobs 15 years ago.
Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark expressed satisfaction with the latest data adding that the numbers recorded by the city in leading the country is a remarkable story and showed the resilience and economic fundamentals of the entire community.
“With significant job growth in several sectors, Saskatoon’s economy is diverse and well-positioned now and for the future as the world looks increasingly to our city and region for what we have to offer,” said Clark.
“The signs are promising that the local economy will continue to be a national leader in the years to come, providing good jobs and opportunities for those calling Saskatoon home.”
City Manager Jeff Jorgenson added that a wide range of industries and occupations were represented in the employment growth numbers last year. Data shows that Saskatoon has an attractive and vibrant business climate.
“As the numbers prove, Saskatoon is leading our nation and province in employment growth. The fact that our region led Canada in job growth for 2022 demonstrates that Saskatoon truly is a great place to live, work, learn and play,” said Jorgenson.
Saskatoon’s service sector was the highest employer accounting for over 14,800 new persons or 89 per cent of year-over-year employment growth. Within the service sector is the wholesale and retail trade industry.
The reopening of shops and other outlets in the wholesale and retail trade industry, even if the COVID-19 pandemic has not fully subsided, increased the demand for workers as it went up by 4,100 persons, followed by healthcare with 3,100.
The goods-producing sector, the bulk of which came from the construction industry, was the third-highest employer last year, with an increase of 3,100 persons. Business finance and management occupations led the way, with an increase of 4,500 and 4,400 persons.
However, the manufacturing industry was hit hardest as it had to lay off more than 2,000 workers in the last 12 months.
