Released on March 12, 2004
Saskatchewan's job numbers increased in February, with 1,500 more people employed than in February of last year. The figures also showed a shift to full-time work, with 7,200 more people employed full-time.Statistics Canada figures released today showed 477,000 people were working in the province last month (seasonally unadjusted figures). That's the second highest February on record for job numbers.
"We're pleased with our job numbers, which continue to track well after a record year in 2003 for employment in Saskatchewan," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. "The February numbers show the resiliency and sturdy performance of our economy, in spite of the lingering effects of BSE and the extreme cold weather last month."
Sectors recording job increases included trade, finance, insurance and real estate and the forestry, oil and gas and mining industries. The agriculture sector also posted job increases last month, although jobs in livestock production dropped from the previous year.
Cline said many of the province's economic indicators point to solid growth ahead. Manufacturing shipments, potash production and sales, natural gas production, oil and gas well drilling and retail sales are all up. Leading economic forecasters like the major banks, the Conference Board of Canada and Global Insight are predicting Saskatchewan's growth rate will be among the highest in the nation this year.
The minister noted that the recently released 2004 KPMG Competitiveness Study ranked Saskatchewan's major cities highly, with Saskatoon ranked second in a group of featured cities in the North American Midwest.
"We have a lot to look forward to this year as we head to our Centennial," Cline said. "The synchrotron will be opening later this year, and Saskatchewan will be in the national spotlight for research excellence. As well, Husky's recent announcement of a $95 million ethanol plant in Lloydminster is huge and welcome news for our agriculture sector and for a new industry we're growing here on the prairies."
Saskatchewan's had the third lowest unemployment rate in the country for February at 6.2 per cent (seasonally unadjusted). That's down 0.2 percentage points from the figure for last February and well below the national rate of 7.9 per cent. Regina was tied for the lowest unemployment rate among major Canadian cities at 5.2 per cent.
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For More Information, Contact:
| Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-8277 |