Released on June 7, 2002
Saskatchewan's job numbers jumped dramatically in May, posting an 11,100gain over May of last year.
Statistics Canada figures released today show 486,100 people were employed
in the province last month (seasonally unadjusted). That's the second
highest number on record for the month of May.
Even agriculture, a sector that has struggled in the past few years, showed
an increase of 1,000 jobs May over May.
"Today's numbers are great news for an economy that has had its challenges,
but which is fundamentally strong and resilient," Industry and Resources
Minister Eldon Lautermilch said. "This jump in jobs may be a sign of a
return to the years of solid job growth Saskatchewan enjoyed before our
agriculture challenges of the last year."
Besides agriculture, job numbers increased in construction, services,
retail and wholesale trade, and finance, insurance and real estate. Other
economic indicators were also up, with retail and department store sales,
new motor vehicle sales, urban housing starts, new business incorporations,
residential building permit values and natural gas production all showing
increases.
Lautermilch said Saskatchewan employers surveyed are expressing confidence
in the province's economy. National staffing company Manpower Inc.
released a survey in May showing 84 per cent of Regina employers and 89 per
cent of Saskatoon employers surveyed expect their staffing levels to
increase or stay the same in the next quarter.
Saskatchewan had the third lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 6.2 per
cent in May (seasonally unadjusted), down 0.2 percentage points from last
year, and well below the national rate of 7.8 per cent.
"Job numbers will fluctuate from month to month, but today's figures are
indicative of an economy that continues to branch out and move into more
value-added industries," Lautermilch said. "Working with Saskatchewan
businesses and communities, we will continue on our diversification course,
and on our program of investments in key infrastructure, sustainable tax
cuts and sound fiscal management. Those efforts are leading to new
opportunities, more jobs and a true partnership for prosperity for
Saskatchewan people."
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For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis
Industry and Resources
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-1691