Released on July 9, 2004
Saskatchewan's job numbers continued their record pace in June, topping the half-million mark for the third time in the province's history.Statistics Canada figures released today show 503,000 people working in Saskatchewan last month (seasonally unadjusted figures). That's the highest figure on record for the month of June, beating by 1,500 the old mark set in June 2003.
June's numbers mark the fifth straight month of job increases year over year and follow record-setting performances in April and May for monthly job numbers.
"Our strong job numbers for the first half of 2004 signal an economy that clearly has momentum," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. "Businesses are responding to that promise, seizing their opportunities and showing their confidence in Saskatchewan workers."
Sectors recording increases last month included manufacturing, construction, transportation, finance, insurance and real estate, services, and the forestry, oil and gas and mining industries. Full-time jobs were up 4,000 over the previous June.
Agriculture employment dropped 4,000 from the previous June. As was the case in May, the decrease was exclusively in livestock production as a result of the continuing BSE challenge.
Cline said other indicators point to strong economic performance. Manufacturing shipments, potash production and sales, oil and gas production and drilling, retail and department store sales, and international exports are all up.
Scotiabank, CIBC, TD Bank and Global Insight are saying Saskatchewan will be one of the nation's leaders in economic growth this year, and a recent survey by Manpower Inc. shows 93 per cent of Regina employers and 97 per cent of Saskatoon employers surveyed expect their staff levels to increase or stay the same between July and September.
"As Saskatchewan moves closer to its second century, we have much to celebrate," Cline said. "We have a strong economic foundation, built on diversification, innovation and performance from leading-edge companies. Business success is translating into a better quality of life for our communities and into new jobs and new careers for Saskatchewan people."
Saskatchewan had the second lowest unemployment rate in Canada in June at 4.5 per cent (seasonally unadjusted), down 0.4 percentage points from June 2003 and well below the national rate of 6.8 per cent. Regina had the second lowest unemployment rate among major Canadian cities at 4.1 per cent.
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For More Information, Contact:
| Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-1691 |