Agriculture employment numbers down

More people are working in Saskatchewan, but not in the agricultural sector.

Employment statistics released Friday show the number of people employed full time is up across Saskatchewan in many industries. But there are fewer people working in the agricultural sector and the number of people working overtime hours in agriculture is also down more than 27 per cent.

“Agriculture is something that we’re seeing employment down compared to a year ago, it’s down by 600,” Alastair MacFadden, deputy minister for immigration and career training with the province, said

While the agricultural industry may be down, job numbers across a number of other sectors are up across the province and more people are employed in Saskatchewan.

“There’s 2,800 more people participating in Saskatchewan’s labour force compared to a year ago,” MacFadden said. “That speaks to the work ethic and character of Saskatchewan people that they’re committed to working and if they don’t have a job right now, they’re actively looking.”

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MacFadden said employment numbers are up in industries including real estate, insurance, health care, mining and oil and gas. Numbers are also up in construction and forestry and logging, MacFadden said, mainly due to demand for housing, both inside and outside the province.

Employment numbers are also up in Ontario and Manitoba, according to Statistics Canada.

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt