Released on March 10, 2000
Statistics Canada figures released today show for the second month in a row,Saskatchewan leads western Canada in job growth.
Figures show Saskatchewan's employment growth rate grew 3 per cent from
February, 1999 to February, 2000. That compares to a 2.9 per cent growth rate
in Alberta and British Columbia and 1.9 per cent in Manitoba.
The number of people working in Saskatchewan during February increased 13,800
over February of last year to 477,100.
"Today's job numbers show once again there are more people working in
Saskatchewan than ever before," Economic and Co-operative Development Minister
Janice MacKinnon said. "Our province has seen significant growth in the past
year, a direct result of the continued diversification of our economy."
Saskatchewan's unemployment rate for February was 5.1 per cent, down 2.5 per
cent from February of last year and well below the national average of 7.3 per
cent.
Our two major cities also place well in the national standings. Regina's
unemployment rate of 4.6 per cent was the second lowest in the country, while
Saskatoon ranked third with an unemployment rate of 4.8 per cent.
MacKinnon also noted, "While the job numbers vary from month to month, the long
term trend is positive. Our economy continues to grow and create jobs for
Saskatchewan people."
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For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis
Economic and Co-operative Development
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-1691
Note to Editors: These are seasonally unadjusted figures as supplied by
Statistics Canada. Adjusted and unadjusted figures can be found on Statistics
Canada's website: www.statscan.ca