Released on October 8, 2004
Saskatchewan's job numbers jumped in September, with one of the best job performances ever for that month.Statistics Canada figures released today show 493,400 people were working in Saskatchewan last month (seasonally unadjusted figures). That's the second highest figure for the month of September, almost matching the September 2002 record (493,700) and up 5,200 jobs from September of last year.
"September's numbers are solid – the second best on record – and speak to a strong and resilient Saskatchewan economy," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. "Despite some challenges, our businesses continue to reflect the success that comes from diversification, and the main beneficiaries of their success are Saskatchewan workers."
Sectors showing increases in job numbers last month included manufacturing, construction, transportation, retail and wholesale trade, and the oil and gas, forestry and mining industries. Agriculture employment was also up by 3,800 jobs, with increases in crop production and support services offsetting small losses in livestock production and mixed farming.
Full-time employment was up 8,900 jobs year over year. Youth employment was up 6,000 over the previous September and Saskatchewan had the second lowest youth unemployment rate in the country.
Cline said other economic indicators are tracking well. Manufacturing shipments, potash production and sales, oil and natural gas production, retail sales and urban housing starts are all up, and Saskatchewan exports have increased for the seventh straight month on a year over year comparison. Scotiabank, CIBC, TD Bank, Global Insight and the Bank of Montreal continue to predict that Saskatchewan will be one of the nation's leaders in economic growth this year.
"What we've seen for much of the year is growth on growth in jobs," Cline said. "The great numbers for September build on the foundation of last year's record year for employment, and are indicative of companies that are showing their confidence in the province's supportive business climate."
Saskatchewan was tied for the second lowest unemployment rate in Canada in September at 5.1 per cent (seasonally unadjusted), up 0.2 percentage points from September 2003 but well below the national rate of 6.6 per cent. Regina had the third 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 |