Released on July 9, 1999
According to the employment statistics, released today by StatisticsCanada, there were 498,100 people employed in Saskatchewan during June
1999, an increase of 12,600 from last month and 9,000 more than the
number employed in June 1998.
"Today's figures show that there were more people working in June than
ever before in Saskatchewan" Economic and Co-operative Development
Minister Janice MacKinnon said, noting that the June 1999 jobs totals
are 3,600 higher than the previous monthly record set in August 1998.
Saskatchewan is tied with Manitoba for the lowest unemployment rate in
the country at 4.9 per cent. The figures also show that Regina and
Saskatoon have the lowest unemployment rates of any major cities in
Canada, at 4.4 per cent and 5 per cent respectively.
The Minister noted that from 1992-98, Saskatchewan's economic growth
has outstripped national growth. Saskatchewan's GDP increased by 25.7
per cent over that period, while Canada's GDP increased by 18.9 per
cent.
"Our balanced approach to economic, co-operative and community
development has ensured that the Saskatchewan people have benefited
directly from this growth. On a per capita basis, personal income for
Saskatchewan people grew by 19.9 per cent, more than double the
national average of 9.6 per cent from 1992-98."
MacKinnon also paid tribute to those responsible for the record
job growth. "Thanks to the hard work of Saskatchewan business
people, co-operative leaders and Regional Economic Development
Authorities, our economy is more diversified and we have more
people working than ever before."
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For more information, contact:
Greg Leake
Economic and Co-operative Development
Regina
Phone: 787-1691