Released on December 1, 2006
The weather outside may be cold, but Saskatchewan's job numbers are staying red-hot.Statistics Canada figures released today show the best November ever for people working in Saskatchewan. Last month 497,900 people were employed in the province (seasonally unadjusted figure). That's up 18,800 over the figure for November 2005 and tops by 14,000 the old record for November set two years ago.
November was also the eighth straight month of record job numbers for Saskatchewan.
"Our economy continues to be one of the most dynamic around, with new opportunities for families and young people," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. "These strong job numbers are a tribute to our businesses and working people who help shape, and benefit from, our climate for growth."
Full-time jobs in Saskatchewan were up 18,300 over last November. Youth employment increased by 8,900 over November 2005 and Saskatchewan's youth unemployment rate was the second-lowest in the country.
Jobs were up last month in agriculture; construction; services; the oil, gas and mining industries; trade and finance; insurance and real estate. Sectors showing declines from last November were manufacturing, transportation and public administration.
Cline said other economic indicators continue to track well for Saskatchewan. Natural gas and oil production, farm cash receipts, urban housing starts, international exports, retail sales, building permit values and average weekly earnings are all up.
Saskatchewan had the second lowest unemployment rate in Canada in November at 3.5 per cent (seasonally unadjusted), down 1.3 percentage points from November 2005 and below the national rate of 5.9 per cent. This is Saskatchewan's lowest unemployment rate for November in 27 years. Saskatoon was tied with Calgary for the lowest unemployment rate among major Canadian cities at 2.8 per cent.
Saskatchewan Labour Force statistics can be found online at www.stats.gov.sk.ca.
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For More Information, Contact:
| Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: 306-787-1691 Email: rellis@ir.gov.sk.ca |