The latest Stats Canada numbers show Saskatchewan has the lowest unemployment rate in the country for the second month in a row.

Economic and Trade Development Minister Jeremy Harrison says the good numbers are a result of the province’s handling of the pandemic.

“People in this province have done a remarkable job in following public health guidelines, and businesses particularly, have done a diligent job in following public health guidelines,” said Harrison. “Because of that, they’ve been able to continue to operate through this entire period of time, when in almost every other jurisdiction in the country, they’ve been shut down.”

Canada lost 68,000 jobs in April, while Saskatchewan gained 4,100 jobs, the highest number among the provinces.

Harrison says the province’s economy is in good shape as the pandemic draws to an end, adding they’re doing everything they can to keep it that way.

“The best thing for the economy is the fact that we have an economy that’s creating jobs, that is in a position to continue to create jobs going forward, and having people employed,” said Harrison. “That’s been my focus from Trade and Export Development is creating the conditions for that investment to occur, and people to have the skills to take advantage of those jobs when they appear, and that’s what we’re going to continue to do.”

After weeks of scrutiny from the NDP, Harrison says these job numbers show that the government knows how to handle the economy better than the opposition ever would.

“As far as their criticisms, they’ve offered nothing in the way of alternatives,” said Harrison. “My focus has been working with our business community, working with the job creators, working with those who are creating wealth to find that path forward and create the conditions for those investments and jobs to be created, that’s what we’re doing.”