Saskatchewan added 2,600 jobs in August, bucking a national trend that saw employment decline by nearly 42,000 jobs across Canada.

The province’s unemployment rate was 6.0 per cent in August, the third-lowest among the provinces and below the national rate of 6.4 per cent.

“Saskatchewan’s strong, steady economy continues to outpace the rest of Canada,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Eric Schmalz said. “By working with industry and supporting workers, we are building the workforce our economy needs today and into the future.”

Related Stories:

Private sector leads job growth

The province’s private sector recorded significant growth, adding 18,200 jobs compared with August 2025. That represents a 4.9 per cent year-over-year increase.

Construction was among the sectors posting the largest gains, adding 6,100 jobs for a 12.2 per cent increase compared with the same month last year.

Manufacturing employment increased by 4,900 jobs, an 18.3 per cent year-over-year increase, while the finance, insurance, real estate and leasing sector added 3,500 jobs, representing an 11.8 per cent increase.

Employment rises in Saskatoon and Regina

Saskatchewan’s two largest cities also recorded employment gains compared with August 2025.

Employment in Saskatoon increased by 1,300 jobs, a 0.6 per cent rise year over year.

Regina saw a larger increase, with employment up by 5,000 jobs, or 3.3 per cent, compared with August 2025.

Housing and investment growth

The province also continues to report growth in other areas of the economy.

Saskatchewan ranked second among the provinces for year-over-year growth in urban housing starts and first for month-over-month growth in building permits.

The provincial government says the economic gains are supported by its Building the Workforce for a Growing Economy: The Saskatchewan Labour Market Strategy, which provides a roadmap for developing the workforce needed to support the province’s growing economy.

The government is also advancing its Securing the Next Decade of Growth: Saskatchewan’s Investment Attraction Strategy, which aims to increase investment in the province and advance the Saskatchewan Growth Plan’s goal of attracting $16 billion in private capital investment annually.