Saskatchewan added nearly 20,000 jobs over the past year, posting the strongest employment growth rate in the country and the lowest unemployment rate among the provinces, according to new figures from Statistics Canada.

The province saw 19,800 new jobs in March compared to the same month last year, representing a 3.4 per cent increase. Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate fell to 4.9 per cent, well below the national average of 6.7 per cent.

“Saskatchewan continues to have one of the strongest labour markets in Canada,” Deputy Premier and Minister of Immigration and Career Training Jim Reiter said in a statement. “Our government has made Saskatchewan the first carbon tax free province in Canada which will ensure that we remain the most attractive jurisdiction in the nation for businesses looking to create jobs and opportunities for our residents.”

Full-time employment rose by 5,400 jobs year-over-year, a 1.1 per cent gain. The number of women working in Saskatchewan reached a record high of 287,000, with female employment increasing by 11,300 jobs, or 4.1 per cent. Male employment also grew, rising by 8,400 jobs, or 2.7 per cent.

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Both Saskatoon and Regina posted year-over-year employment gains of 2.5 per cent. Saskatoon added 4,800 jobs, while Regina saw employment grow by 3,500.

Among industries, construction saw the largest year-over-year increase, adding 8,700 jobs for a 24.2 per cent gain. Health care and social assistance rose by 8,100 jobs, or 8.8 per cent, while educational services increased by 4,900 jobs, or 8.7 per cent.

Other indicators also point to sustained economic growth in the province. In January, Saskatchewan led all provinces in year-over-year growth in new motor vehicle sales at 17.3 per cent and ranked second in retail sales growth at 11.5 per cent. The province also had the second-highest growth in urban housing starts so far this year, with a 51.5 per cent increase.

The provincial government has tied the strong job market to recent policy initiatives, including the release of Building the Workforce for a Growing Economy: The Saskatchewan Labour Market Strategy, and Securing the Next Decade of Growth: Saskatchewan’s Investment Attraction Strategy. The two plans aim to bolster the workforce and attract investment to meet the province’s goal of $16 billion in private capital investment annually.