Released on January 5, 2001
Saskatchewan has set a new yearly record for the number of people working inthe province.
According to year-end Statistics Canada figures released today, there were
485,000 people working in Saskatchewan in 2000, up 5,000 over the previous
record set in 1999.
"These yearly statistics reflect a Saskatchewan economy that is succeeding
through diversification," Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag
said, speaking on behalf of Economic and Co-operative Development Minister
Janice MacKinnon. "We continue to have problems in agriculture, but the other
sectors of our economy are performing strongly, virtually all showing increases
in jobs."
Statistics showed that full-time employment in 2000 was also up over 1999, an
increase of 8,000 jobs.
There were 26,700 people unemployed in Saskatchewan in 2000, a drop of 4,300
from the 1999 figure. Saskatchewan's unemployment rate of 5.2 per cent in 2000
was 0.9 per cent lower than the 1999 rate and well below the national average
of 6.8 per cent for 2000.
"Our job numbers will fluctuate from month to month, but these numbers for the
entire year show an economy that continues to grow, creating jobs and
opportunities - particularly full-time jobs - for Saskatchewan people," Sonntag
said.
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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