Released on January 7, 2005
Saskatchewan ended a strong 2004 with two job records, one for the month of December and the other for the year itself.Statistics Canada figures released today show 490,300 people working in the province last month (seasonally unadjusted figures). That beats the old record for December set two years ago and is a jump of 7,800 jobs from last December.
The figures for 2004 were equally strong, showing average annual employment also at 490,300 for the year, beating by 3,500 the old annual mark set in 2003.
"These record job numbers are a great start to our centennial year," Finance Minister Harry Van Mulligen said on behalf of Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline. "The numbers reflect an economy that is performing strongly, businesses that are succeeding at home and abroad, and above all, workers who are seizing new opportunities for themselves and their families."
December's figures marked the third straight month of record job numbers and the ninth time in the last 12 months where jobs have been up over the previous year.
Sectors showing job increases last month included construction, manufacturing, transportation, services and agriculture.
Full-time jobs rose by 4,500 December over December. Youth employment increased by 4,300 jobs over the previous December and Saskatchewan had Canada's second lowest youth unemployment rate.
Van Mulligen noted job numbers are only one indicator of the province's overall economic strength. Manufacturing shipments, potash sales, oil and natural gas production, retail sales, urban housing starts and building permit values are all up. Saskatchewan exports have increased for the tenth straight month year over year.
"Saskatchewan enters a new century of opportunity, confident in its future prospects," Van Mulligen said. "We acknowledge our challenges, particularly in sectors like agriculture, but through diversification, we have a strong economic foundation on which to build.
"Our strengths are our resources, our people and our innovative spirit. Our government will continue to invest in those strengths, working with economic and community leaders to enhance a business climate where even more companies are succeeding and even more Saskatchewan people are working."
Saskatchewan had the third lowest unemployment rate in Canada in December at 5.4 per cent (seasonally unadjusted), up 0.1 percentage points from December of last year but well below the national rate of 6.6 per cent.
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| Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-1691 |