Released on December 3, 1999
It's tough to beat the unemployment rate in Saskatchewan these days.At 4.9 per cent, Saskatchewan's unadjusted unemployment rate is the lowest in
the country.
According to Statistics Canada figures released today, there were 478,300
people working in Saskatchewan in November 1999, up 1,500 over November
1998.
"The Saskatchewan economy is more diversified than ever before and that shows
in the year-over-year increase in the number of Saskatchewan people working,"
Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Janice MacKinnon said.
Regina boasted the lowest unemployment rate of any major Canadian city for
November 1999 at 3.5 per cent. Saskatoon also ranked well below the national
average at 5.1 per cent.
Employment forecasts released last month by Manpower Temporary Services show
this positive trend in employment can be expected to continue. According to
the Manpower survey, 20 per cent of Regina employers and 37 per cent of
employers in Saskatoon expect to create jobs in the first quarter of 2000.
"Saskatchewan can expect to continue to grow on the momentum that's created
these positive job numbers," MacKinnon said. "And while we continue to feel
the impact of the problems in agriculture and job losses there, the expansion
of other sectors means our economy continues to grow and create new jobs for
Saskatchewan people."
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For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis
Economic and Co-operative Development
Regina
Phone (306) 787-1691