Released on March 11, 2005
Saskatchewan's record-setting pace in job creation shows no signs of letting up.Figures released today by Statistics Canada show 476,700 people working in Saskatchewan in February, which is 11,400 higher than February 2004. This is the highest figure ever recorded for Saskatchewan in February.
"Today's numbers represent the eleventh consecutive monthly employment increase," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. "We've worked very hard to improve the climate for growth in Saskatchewan, and it's encouraging to see more evidence of solid progress."
Cline said he was especially pleased to see continued progress in youth employment. "Every new job created here is a son or daughter working in Saskatchewan and raising their family in Saskatchewan rather than somewhere else."
February's job numbers were up in the categories of manufacturing, construction, retail and wholesale trade, transportation, public administration and the service industries. There was a slight downturn in the figures for agriculture and resource industries.
The latest Conference Board of Canada forecast states Saskatchewan will have the second highest economic growth rate in Canada in 2005, and the fifth highest job creation rate. Scotiabank, CIBC and the Bank of Montreal all place Saskatchewan third in economic growth this year.
Saskatchewan was tied with Manitoba for the second lowest unemployment rate in Canada in February at 5.5 per cent (seasonally unadjusted), down from 6.1 per cent in February 2004 and below the national rate of 7.4 per cent.
NOTE: Effective January 26th, 2005 revisions were made by Statistics Canada so that the Labour Force Survey figures reflect the 2001 Census data. Job estimates for all provinces were revised, going back all the way to 1976. Figures released after January 26th, 2005 reflect the revised numbers in all Canadian provinces.
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| Joanne Johnson Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-1691 |