Released on November 5, 2004
Saskatchewan had a great performance on the jobs front last month, setting a record for employment in October.Statistics Canada figures released today show a record 495,500 people were working in Saskatchewan last month (seasonally unadjusted figures). That tops the previous record set in October 2002 and is up 8,900 jobs from October of last year.
October's numbers marked the seventh time in the last nine months where jobs have been up over the previous year.
"Saskatchewan's economy is growing and more diversified, and these record job numbers are one barometer of that performance," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. "In selling more products and exploring more markets, our businesses are creating more opportunities for Saskatchewan workers."
Sectors whose job numbers jumped last month included construction, manufacturing, transportation, services, and the oil and gas, forestry and mining industries. Agriculture employment was also up by 1,200 jobs.
Youth employment rose 3,800 jobs over the previous October and Saskatchewan had Canada's second lowest youth unemployment rate.
Cline cited other signals of a strong economy. Manufacturing shipments, potash production and sales, oil and natural gas production, retail sales and urban housing starts are all up. Saskatchewan exports have increased for the eighth straight month year over year, and mineral exploration activity has risen dramatically.
"Saskatchewan is building through diversification, through new strength in key economic sectors, and through new infrastructure like the synchrotron," Cline said. "Our businesses are moving forward in an environment that supports growth, and new jobs and more jobs are the result."
Saskatchewan was tied for the lowest unemployment rate in Canada in October at 4.5 per cent (seasonally unadjusted), down 0.3 percentage points from October of last year and well below the national rate of 6.5 per cent. Regina had the second lowest unemployment rate among major Canadian cities at 4.5 per cent.
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For More Information, Contact:
| Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-1691 |