Job seekers are finding fertile ground in the booming provincial economy as Saskatchewan continues to outpace the country in employment growth.

Statistics released today show that the number of people working in the province grew by 16,900 from December 2007 to December 2008. That represents an increase of 3.4 per cent, significantly ahead of the national average of 0.5 per cent.

The numbers gave the province's minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour something to crow about.

"We're pleased overall," Rob Norris said Friday. "We know there's more work to do. But when we see there are over 13,000 new full-time jobs in Saskatchewan year-over-year, that represents increased quality jobs."

Norris was also pleased with job increases among aboriginal people, referring to numbers which show there are 3,100 more aboriginal people working now than last year at this time.

The minister acknowledged that Saskatchewan's economic boom may not be immune from global influences.

"We all know the economic climate across Canada and around the world has changed significantly," Norris said. "Saskatchewan is in good shape and, in fact, right now the best in Canada."

But opposition politicians said there are signs of distress in the provincial job picture.

NDP member Darcy Furber told CBC News that there have been major layoffs in some industries.

"Just in the last couple of months we've shed 2,000 jobs in different industries, mostly mining and oil," Furber said Friday. "There's no end in sight in those losses and we lead the country in inflation."

Furber suggested the province combat a rising cost of living by providing consumers with rebates on their home heating bills. He noted that when the Saskatchewan Party was in opposition, it called for such a program.