Released on August 10, 2001
For the second month in a row, Saskatchewan's job numbers are up over theprevious month.
Figures released today by Statistics Canada show there were 473,000 people
employed in Saskatchewan on a seasonally adjusted basis in July 2001, up
2,700 from June 2001. This is the largest percentage job increase of any
province. Only three other provinces showed an increase of jobs between
June and July.
"These latest numbers highlight what we have been saying for months -
Saskatchewan's economy is strong despite the challenges in agriculture,"
Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Eldon Lautermilch said.
"Those challenges continue to impact the overall number of jobs in the
economy from last July, but it is heartening to see in those sectors where
we are not as closely tied to agriculture, we are seeing job growth. For
example, employment is up in manufacturing, construction and the resource
industries."
While the job numbers are down from last year's record-breaking July, other
indicators show the economy is still improving and business has confidence
in that improvement.
According to Statistics Canada's Help Wanted Index for July released
Wednesday, Saskatchewan was one of only three provinces to record a year-
over-year improvement. The Help Wanted Index in Saskatchewan rose 4.3 per
cent from July 2000 to July 2001. This is the 22nd straight month the
index has increased compared to the same month in the previous year. In
July, Saskatchewan had the second highest percentage increase among the
provinces, indicating its employers are looking to hire workers.
A recent Manpower Temporary Services survey shows 94 per cent of Saskatoon
employers and 93 per cent of Regina employers expect staffing levels to
increase or stay the same between July and September 2001.
Saskatchewan housing starts were up nearly 12 per cent in July 2001
compared to the same time last year.
Manufacturing shipments, mineral production and retail sales are all up
year over year, as are the number of business incorporations.
Saskatchewan has the third lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 6.2 per
cent in July, compared to the national rate of 7.2 per cent. Regina has
the second lowest rate among major Canadian cities at 4.9 per cent.
"While we remain concerned about the situation in agriculture and the
impact this has on unemployment, our economy now has a much stronger base
on which to build as a result of our efforts over the last decade to
diversify," Lautermilch said.
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For more information, contact:
Carey Millar
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