Released on June 8, 2001
Figures released today from Statistics Canada show that the slowdown inSaskatchewan's agricultural economy continues to affect the province's job
growth.
Labour force figures for May 2001 show a drop of 16,800 agricultural jobs
from May of the previous year. The downturn in agriculture impacted other
sectors such as construction, trade and services, leading to a drop of
4,400 non-agricultural jobs over the same period.
"Our agriculture industry is a significant part of our economy--more so
than in many other provinces--and when it suffers, it affects us all,"
Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Eldon Lautermilch said.
"Our agricultural problems are now being mirrored in other provinces, as
Canada recorded a significant drop in agricultural jobs in May."
Lautermilch noted that despite losses in agriculture, there is good news in
the Saskatchewan economy. Statistics Canada's Help-Wanted Index this week
showed Saskatchewan having the second highest percentage increase among the
provinces, indicating that Saskatchewan's employers are looking to hire
workers.
New figures from multinational staffing company Manpower Temporary Services
also reflect that optimism, indicating that 94 percent of Saskatoon
employers surveyed and 93 percent of Regina employers surveyed expect their
staffing levels to stay the same or increase over the July to September
period.
Job increases over last year were recorded in manufacturing, oil and gas,
mining, forestry, finance, insurance and real estate, as well as public
administration.
Lautermilch said the number of people working last month (475,000) tends to
suffer by comparison with last year's figure, which was the highest on
record for May.
Saskatchewan had the fourth lowest unemployment rate in the country at 6.4
percent in May, compared to the national rate of 7.1 percent.
"While the situation in agriculture is pulling down our job numbers, the
Saskatchewan economy continues to diversify as a result of our efforts over
the last decade," Lautermilch said. "Through our province's new economic
strategy, Partnership for Prosperity, we will work with business, labour,
co-operative, community and Aboriginal organizations to build on our solid
foundation and help address the challenges in our agriculture sector."
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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