Released on August 9, 2002
Saskatchewan has recorded its third consecutive month of solid growth injob numbers.
Statistics Canada figures released today show a 7,100 gain in employment
numbers in July over July of last year. That follows jumps of 11,100 in
May over the previous May and 12,800 in June over June of 2001.
There were 494,200 people employed in the province last month (seasonally
unadjusted), the third highest number on record for the month of July.
"These numbers speak to the resiliency and diversification of our economy,"
Industry and Resources Minister Eldon Lautermilch said. "We continue to
deal with challenges in agriculture, but three months of great job numbers
suggest that we may be returning to what we experienced in the nineties,
when we had a decade of solid job growth."
Job numbers increased in services, retail and wholesale trade,
manufacturing and finance, insurance and real estate. Job numbers in
agriculture were down slightly - a decrease of 700 over the previous July.
Employment in Saskatchewan's two largest cities was up. Regina and
Saskatoon posted July gains of 3,500 and 1,700, respectively, over July of
2001.
Other economic indicators were also positive. Retail and department store
sales, new motor vehicle sales, new business incorporations, building
permit values, oil and natural gas production, and potash sales are all
up. Social assistance caseloads continue to decline.
Saskatchewan had the third lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 5.7 per
cent in July (seasonally unadjusted), down 0.5 percentage points from last
year, and well below the national rate of 7.7 per cent.
"Saskatchewan's job figures will obviously fluctuate each month, but
today's numbers are a good sign for our economy," Lautermilch said. "We
have challenges to overcome, but so many rich opportunities to seize. We
have built a strong foundation for future growth, through sound fiscal
management, investments in key infrastructure, sustainable tax cuts and new
investment attraction. That foundation will help Saskatchewan businesses
and communities create the jobs and careers of tomorrow."
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For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis
Industry and Resources
Regina
Phone (306) 787-1691