Released on February 7, 2003
Saskatchewan has started 2003 on the right track, with yet another record-breaking month for job numbers.Statistics Canada figures released today show the highest January on record for people working in the province. There were 475,500 people working in the province last month (seasonally unadjusted), beating the previous record set three years ago and an increase of 16,800 jobs over January 2002.
This now marks six straight months of record job numbers for the province and nine consecutive months of job increases over previous year figures. For the fourth straight month Saskatchewan was the national leader in job growth. In January it was tied for first among the provinces in percentage increase in job growth year over year.
"We continue to see the momentum of an economy that's diversified and growing," Industry and Resources Minister Eldon Lautermilch said. "Our strong, competitive business climate is resulting in more prosperity for our companies and more jobs for Saskatchewan people."
Non-agricultural employment was up 16,900 jobs compared to January of last year. Agriculture was down slightly, by 100 jobs over the previous January. Youth employment was up 5,000 in January over January 2002.
Sectors recording job increases included services, retail and wholesale trade, finance, insurance and real estate, and resources.
Other economic indicators are also strong. Manufacturing shipments, retail and department store sales, urban housing starts, business incorporations, potash sales and natural gas production are all up. Social assistance caseloads continue to decline. Gas well drilling in January is double that of last January and follows a record year for drilling in 2002.
Saskatchewan had the third lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 6.5 per cent in January (seasonally unadjusted), unchanged from last year, and well below the national rate of 8.1 per cent. Saskatoon had the third lowest unemployment rate among major Canadian cities at 6.1 per cent.
"The province's job numbers will vary from month to month, but these last nine months of solid growth give us plenty of optimism about our bright, wide-open future," Lautermilch said. "Saskatchewan has exciting opportunities in its major economic sectors, and we're taking that message of business strength and success to audiences here at home and beyond our borders."
"The jobs are here, the careers are here, and the opportunities are here, in a province fuelled by entrepreneurial drive and major new business investment."
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For More Information, Contact:
| Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306)787-8277 |