Saskatchewan Leads Job Growth in Canadian Provinces

The newest statistics from the Canadian job market have shown that the growth in jobs across Canada has increased significantly, with Saskatchewan leading the job growth among all Canadian provinces. 

Saskatchewan has recorded the highest MoM (month over month) growth rate, according to the Labour Force Survey of December 2021. It shows a gain of 6000 jobs in December, indicating a 1.1% increase since November.

The most notable growth sectors were the scientific, professional, and technical service domains. They recorded the most significant gains in full-time employment for candidates aged between 25 and 54. The unemployment rate in the province reduced to 5.4% from the previous year’s 8%. It also lies below the 5.9% national average.

Jeremy Harrison, Immigration and Career Training Minister, said, “Even with the global economic volatility in 2021, Saskatchewan continued to create employment opportunities. Also, it had the lowest unemployment rates out of all the Canadian provinces.” 

The social assistance and healthcare domains also reported significant YoY gains, with 8000 new jobs (a 9.8% increase). Meanwhile, trade saw 7400 new jobs added (an 8.4% increase), and construction added 4700 new jobs (a 12.2% increase). In the same period, the private sector saw a growth of 10,800 jobs (a 3.5% increase), female employment grew by 10600 new jobs (a 4.2% increase), and youth employment grew by 7700 jobs (an 11.3% increase).

In 2021, Canada achieved its immigration goal of providing Saskatchewan jobs for foreign workers and welcoming 401,000 immigrants to the country as permanent residents. The goal for 2022 is for 411,000 immigrants to become permanent Canadian residents.

According to an average taken by leading private forecasters, Saskatchewan’s GDP is set to grow by 4% this year. Meanwhile, the Canadian economy added about 55000 new jobs in December 2021 as the unemployment rate went down to 5.9%, the lowest in the last 11 months. 

In 2021, Canada achieved its immigration goal of welcoming 401,000 immigrants to the country as permanent residents. The goal for 2022 is for 411,000 immigrants to become permanent Canadian residents.

According to Harrison, “With over 9,000 jobs posted on saskjobs.ca, companies across the province are looking for professionals to fill positions, showing confidence in the province’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Domains reporting the most improvement in metrics of YoY gains have been social assistance and healthcare (6800 new jobs), trades (14900 new jobs), and accommodation and food services (3000 new jobs).

The private job sector also saw an increase in 18900 jobs (a 6% rise), along with a growth of 11500 jobs in female employment and 8800 in youth employment. 

ALSO READ: CANADA TO ANNOUNCE IMMIGRATION LEVELS PLAN FOR 2022-2024

Saskatchewan Immigration Programs:

There are several Saskatchewan immigration programs for applicants wishing to immigrate to the provinces in Canada of Saskatchewan. The leading immigration path Canada offers, known as the Express Entry System, is available for any candidate wanting to live in any region they choose besides Quebec. To enter Canada via Express Entry, for jobs in Saskatchewan for immigrants you should be eligible for any of the three Federal High Skilled Immigration programs:

• Canadian Experience Class
• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Express Entry visa program gives candidates a point-based score according to the CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System). A high-ranking candidate is invited to submit applications for PR (permanent residence) during Express Entry draws held regularly. 

Additionally, Saskatchewan has its PNP (Provincial Nominee Program) known as the SINP (Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program). One stream of the many offered under this program is connected to Express Entry and is called the Saskatchewan Express Entry. This means that a Saskatchewan province nomination will give a candidate an additional 600 points on the CRS. This virtually guarantees an ITA (invitation to apply) for PR.

Within the SIN program, Saskatchewan provides several streams that don’t align with the Express Entry system. When candidates receive provincial nominations, they can apply directly to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) through these streams. These are:

• The International Skilled Worker Category (ISWC) is for skilled workers looking to work and live in Saskatchewan, with subcategories for people with or without job offers.
• Saskatchewan jobs for foreign workers are available under the Saskatchewan Experience Category, which includes current work permit holders and international graduates.
• The Farm and Entrepreneur Category is for applicants who want to own and operate businesses or farming operations in Saskatchewan.
• The International Graduate Entrepreneur Category is designed for international students who are newly graduating from eligible post-secondary institutions in Saskatchewan and plan to start a business in the province. 

In November 2021, Saskatchewan announced its new immigration project. This pilot project, known as the Hard-To-Fill Skills Pilot, allows employers to hire international talent for jobs highly in demand in Saskatchewan. The highest demand is seen across the following sectors:

• Manufacturing
• Health
• Ag-tech
• Agriculture
• Retail
• Construction
• Hospitality

According to Jeremy Harrison’s media release announcement, “The demand for labour in the province is sturdy, and it’s only going to improve with the significant economic projects recently announced in Saskatchewan. This new Hard-To-Fill Skills Pilot—developed in Saskatchewan for Saskatchewan—is progress on our autonomy discussions with the federal government and will help provide employers access to international professionals and workers. 

Saskatchewan has also announced a new pool: the International Healthcare Worker Expression of Interest within the SINP. It allows applicants to submit online forms to indicate they want to work in specific healthcare roles in Saskatchewan. Croyez Immigration, one of the leading Canada job consultancy in India, can help you understand each of these categories and help with your immigration application.