Townhouses under construction. The construction sector was among the biggest gainers as 4,600 jobs have been added over the past year. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)

Saskatchewan unemployment third-lowest in Canada as 2,600 jobs added

By CKOM News Aug 9, 2026 | 9:00 AM

Saskatchewan has the third-lowest unemployment rate among the provinces, according to a report from the provincial government.

The unemployment rate in Saskatchewan sits at six per cent, compared to a national average of 6.4 per cent. The province has seen an additional 2,600 jobs added so far this year, representing an increase of 0.4 per cent over the same period a year ago.

Only Manitoba at 5 per cent and Quebec at 5.6 per cent had lower unemployment rates than Saskatchewan.

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The province said significant gains were made in the private sector, as 10,300 jobs have been added since July of 2025, an increase of 2.7 per cent.

The construction sector alone added 4,600 jobs, while accommodation and food service added 4,200 and finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing added 2,000 jobs compared to a year ago.

Young people have also seen more employment opportunities, with 1,500 jobs added for people aged 15 to 24 and 3,900 jobs added for those aged 25 to 54.

“Recently released numbers from Statistics Canada show that Saskatchewan’s economy is strong,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Eric Schmalz said in a statement.

“Our government is committed to supporting employment training, workforce development and programs that help people find work. This ensures we have the labour force to support the economy of today and the future.”

In July, Louis Dreyfus Company announced a new pea production plant and expanded canola processing would bringing hundreds of new jobs to Yorkton.

The company said 140 jobs would be added by the end of the year, bringing the company’s workforce up to 260 people and the changes to the canola processing site would more than double its crushing capacity.

The company said the expansion would help the province reach its goal of crushing 75 per cent of locally produced canola within Saskatchewan.

“This massive investment in Saskatchewan will not only bring more jobs and opportunities to the region, but it will also provide a convenient and profitable outlet for Saskatchewan’s agricultural producers to sell their commodities,” Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said in a statement.

Also in July, an expansion of the Innovation Saskatchewan Research and Technology Park in Saskatoon was announced that is expected to bring 100 new high-tech jobs to Saskatoon over the next two years.

The new jobs will be in the global semiconductor sector, making use of AI technology, the company said.

National jobs picture

While Saskatchewan has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, the overall outlook in Canada has also been positive.

The 6.4 per cent national unemployment rate in the nation is the lowest seen in two years as 75,000 jobs were added nationally, according to Statistics Canada.

The wholesale and retail sectors were the biggest gainers, adding 21,000 jobs in July. However, the sectors are down 50,000 jobs as compared to a year ago.

Statistics Canada said average hourly wages were up 2.8 per cent in July year-over-year, though it decelerated from 3.3 per cent growth in June.

— with files from The Canadian Press