The Saskatchewan NDP opposition says it’s been a bad year for Aboriginal job numbers in the province.
The government released employment figures earlier today that show close to 540,000 people are working in Saskatchewan and this includes an increase of a little under 16,000 more people working in December when compared to the same monthly figures in 2011.
The government figures also show an increase of 500, or 1.3 per cent, in the number of off-reserve Aboriginal people working in 2012.
Nevertheless, the opposition countered with a release of its own that states the Métis labour force shrunk by 1,500 people during the last year and the First Nations labour force by 700.
The labour force includes those people who are working or actively looking for work.
In the release, NDP employment critic Cam Broten said the poor Aboriginal job numbers underscore the need for the province to reinstate the aboriginal employment development program.