Released on April 4, 2003
Saskatchewan's job numbers continue their impressive climb with an 11th straight month of increases over figures for the previous year.Statistics Canada figures released today show the second highest March on record for people working in the province. There were 477,100 people working in Saskatchewan last month (seasonally unadjusted), an increase of 11,400 over March 2002.
"Our strong job numbers for March provide further evidence of Saskatchewan's economic momentum," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. "With a business climate that's competitive and an economy that's diversified, we're clearly laying the foundation for more jobs and prosperity, and a future that's wide-open."
The number of full-time jobs was up significantly, 18,300 jobs over March 2002. Non-agricultural employment was up 12,800 jobs compared to March of last year. Agriculture was down 1,300 jobs over previous year figures. Youth employment was up 4,700 over March 2002, and the province's youth unemployment rate was the third lowest in the nation last month.
Sectors recording job increases included services, finance, insurance and real estate, and resource industries such as oil, gas, mining and forestry.
Cline cited other positive economic indicators. Manufacturing shipments, international exports, potash sales, oil and natural gas production and drilling, retail and department store sales, urban housing starts, and building permit values are all up. Social assistance caseloads continue to decline.
Major financial institutions are predicting solid growth for the Saskatchewan economy in 2003, and the Conference Board of Canada is forecasting strong job growth this year and next.
Saskatchewan had the third lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 5.9 per cent in March (seasonally unadjusted), down 0.3 percentage points from last year, and well below the national rate of 7.9 per cent.
"Our job numbers will obviously fluctuate each month," Cline said, "but the job success we've seen over the last 11 months is a story we're proud of and a story we're sharing here at home and beyond our borders.
"Businesses and communities are seizing new opportunities and government is helping with a plan and recent budget of sustainable tax cuts and exemptions, infrastructure support and investment attraction initiatives. Together we're building for the future and further enhancing our prosperous, competitive economy."
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For More Information, Contact:
| Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306)787-8277 |