Released on December 5, 2003
Saskatchewan's job numbers for November remain very strong but show the continuing challenges in the province's agricultural sector.Statistics Canada figures released today showed 483,900 people working in Saskatchewan last month (seasonally unadjusted). That's the second highest November on record for people working in Saskatchewan, but the number is down from last November.
"These job numbers tell a story of challenge and strength," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. "Our economy has obviously dealt in recent months with BSE and other problems in agriculture. But these high numbers also speak to Saskatchewan's diversification, and suffer only in comparison to last year's figure – the highest November on record."
Year to date, employment in Saskatchewan is up 5,400 over the first 11 months of 2002, with non-agricultural employment increasing by 9,200 over the same period.
A drop of 4,200 agricultural jobs (seasonally unadjusted) made up most of the overall November over November loss. The number of non-agricultural jobs was down slightly – 700 – from the previous November.
Sectors showing job increases in November included manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, the resource industries and public administration.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, job numbers in November were up 1,200 over those for October of this year, the second straight month of increases over the previous month. Saskatchewan posted the highest rate of job growth among western provinces over that period.
Cline noted that independent forecasters continue to place Saskatchewan at or near the top in economic growth in Canada, with both the Bank of Montreal and CIBC ranking the province first in 2003. Economic indicators such as retail sales, wholesale trade, manufacturing shipments, housing starts, new motor vehicle sales and potash production are all up. The province has just set a record for gas well drilling, and is on pace for a record year for oil and gas well drilling overall.
Saskatchewan's November unemployment rate of 5.2 per cent (seasonally unadjusted), was the second lowest in the country, down 0.1 percentage points from last year and well below the 7.1 per cent national rate. Regina had the second lowest unemployment rate among major Canadian cities at 4.7 per cent.
"People of Saskatchewan have told us they want change," Cline said. "They said they want to see a province where job growth is steady and sustained. We've had success in this regard – a recent 16 straight months of job growth – but we obviously must do more.
"Our priority as government is to work with businesses and communities to ensure that a strong economy translates into more careers for our young people, more opportunities and prosperity for our families."
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For More Information, Contact:
| Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-8277 |