Saskatchewan Achieves Historic Job Growth in August 2025, Sets Employment Records

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Saskatchewan Achieves Historic Job Growth in August 2025, Sets Employment Records

Saskatchewan delivered a standout performance in the Canadian labour market this August, adding a remarkable 16,500 full-time jobs over the past year—the highest number in recent memory. The province set a new record for full-time employment, reaching 534,300 positions, and maintained the lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 4.7 percent, far below the national average.

Surge in Full-Time Employment

August 2025 marked a turning point for Saskatchewan’s workforce, as year-over-year full-time employment surged by 3.2 percent. This growth equates to 16,500 new jobs compared to the previous year. Women saw especially strong gains, with employment up by 12,300 (a 4.4 percent increase), while job numbers for men also rose, adding 3,900 positions at a 1.2 percent growth rate. These numbers highlight Saskatchewan’s progress toward gender balance and economic inclusion.

City-Level Growth: Regina and Saskatoon Shine

Saskatchewan’s two largest cities posted impressive job gains as well. Regina led the way with employment rising by 7,300 jobs, reflecting a robust 5 percent annual increase. Saskatoon also grew, adding 1,900 jobs—a 0.9 percent improvement—demonstrating that job growth is reaching into more urbanized areas of the province and benefitting a range of communities.

Key Sectors Fueling Expansion

Several industries were standouts in Saskatchewan’s job market this year:

• Health care and social assistance grew by 12,000 jobs, a stunning 12.8 percent surge, reflecting the province’s commitment to both public health and support services.
• Construction saw 5,100 new positions, up 11.4 percent, driven by strong demand for housing and infrastructure.
• Accommodations and food services expanded by 4,600 jobs, a jump of 15 percent year-over-year, which speaks to renewed strength in tourism and hospitality.

Booming Construction and Housing Sector

Supporting the surge in jobs, Saskatchewan ranked second among Canadian provinces for year-over-year growth in the value of building permits in June 2025. The province also claimed the top spot for year-to-date growth in both building permits and urban housing starts, underlining sustained momentum in construction and real estate.

Strong Resource-Based Economic Foundations

Saskatchewan’s economy is heavily rooted in natural resources, making it one of Canada’s key producers of agricultural products, potash, uranium, and oil and gas. These resource sectors offer a level of resiliency and global demand that contributes to consistent employment growth. For example:

• Agriculture and agri-food sectors benefit from rich farmland and advanced agricultural technology, supporting thousands of jobs in farming, processing, and related industries.
• Mining and energy sectors, particularly potash and uranium, provide high-paying, skilled jobs and attract significant domestic and foreign investment.
• Commodity demand remains strong globally, driven by agricultural needs and energy market trends, keeping these industries expansive.

The diversity and strength of the resource base buffer Saskatchewan’s economy against some of the volatilities seen in other provinces more reliant on manufacturing or services. This foundational strength supports jobs directly and indirectly across supply chains.

Government’s Workforce Development and Investment Attraction Strategies

Saskatchewan’s government follows a multi-pronged approach to economic development that actively supports labour market growth:

• The Building the Workforce for a Growing Economy strategy focuses on addressing labour shortages, skills training, and workforce participation initiatives. It includes collaborations with industries and educational institutions to align training with market demand.
• The Securing the Next Decade of Growth plan actively targets increasing private capital investment up to $16 billion per year. This approach includes incentives for business development, streamlined regulatory processes, and efforts to attract international investors.
• An emphasis on welcoming immigration through streamlined provincial nominee programs and pathways tailored to skilled workers supports labour force growth. This is crucial for filling gaps in health care, construction, and technology sectors.

These combined efforts have helped Saskatchewan raise workforce participation and reduce unemployment more effectively than many other provinces where labour market mismatches and sluggish investment persist.

Labour Market Dynamics and Demographics

Saskatchewan benefits from several demographic advantages:

• The province has seen steady population growth, supported by immigration and retention of youth and working-age residents.
• It boasts a younger average labour force compared to some aging provinces, which contributes to higher participation rates and productivity.
• Female labour force participation increased by 4.4%, a faster rate than that of men (1.2%), highlighting successful efforts to promote inclusive economic growth.
• Urban centres like Regina and Saskatoon have shown sustained growth, balancing rural-urban employment.

Across the country, many provinces face challenges like an aging workforce, labor shortages in key sectors, or slow urban job growth. Saskatchewan's demographic profile and regional economic diversification contribute to more balanced and sustained employment gains.

Government Strategies Powering Success

These employment victories are supported by deliberate government action. Saskatchewan’s “Building the Workforce for a Growing Economy” initiative is a robust labour market strategy to ensure a strong pipeline of skilled workers. Combined with “Securing the Next Decade of Growth”—an investment attraction strategy—these policies are helping the province reach its ambitious target of $16 billion annually in private-sector investments. The result is a welcoming environment for new businesses, skilled workers, and their families.

Outlook for Job Seekers and Businesses

Saskatchewan’s recent labour market strength signals lasting confidence for both current residents and those considering relocating. The province’s proactive approach to workforce growth and investment attraction is expected to stabilize and extend these employment gains, further solidifying Saskatchewan’s place as a leading destination to work, invest, and build a future in Canada.

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