Released on December 7, 2001
Saskatchewan's latest job numbers show the trend of job losses may beturning around.
While Saskatchewan continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates
in the country, Statistics Canada figures released today for November show
the province recorded a drop of 600 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis
from October. That's an improvement from the drop of 900 jobs from
September to October, and a larger improvement from the drop of 8,000 jobs
from August to September.
"Our economy is going through a transition in our agriculture sector and is
feeling the effects of the general international economic slowdown,"
Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Eldon Lautermilch said. "We
need to continue with our broad and sustained approach - good fiscal
management, sustainable tax cuts, and training programs for workers to
increase jobs and opportunities for Saskatchewan people. Our economic
plan, Partnership for Prosperity, will help build on eight years of
economic growth - the second longest period of growth in our history."
The minister said many economic indicators show Saskatchewan's economic
base is still strong, and that businesses have confidence in the economy.
On Thursday Statistics Canada released its Help Wanted Index for November,
the indicator of employers looking to hire workers. Saskatchewan recorded
the highest ranking in the nation, a 3.6 per cent increase over last
November's index, and was the only province to show a year-over-year
increase.
Oil, gas and mineral production, retail sales, new vehicle sales, business
incorporations and building permit values are all up.
Year over year the province saw a drop of 7,400 agricultural jobs from
November, 2000. The agriculture downturn and national economic slowdown
impacted other sectors, leading to a drop of 9,200 non-agricultural jobs
over the same period.
Lautermilch said the numbers have to be placed in context. "We're
comparing them to last November which had the all-time record employment
high for that month, and against last year when we had more people working
than ever in our history."
Saskatchewan had the third lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 5.3 per
cent in November, an increase of 0.8 percentage points from the previous
year, but well below the national rate of 7.1 per cent. Regina had the
second lowest unemployment rate among major Canadian cities at 4.7 per cent.
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For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis
Economic and Co-operative Development
Regina
Phone (306) 787-1691