CONSTRUCTION PICKS UP IN OCTOBER

Construction picked up considerably in Saskatchewan for October 2009 according to the building permit numbers released by Statistics Canada today.

On a provincial basis, Saskatchewan had the largest percentage increase year-over-year in Canada on a seasonally unadjusted basis. In October 2009, permits were up by 99.2 per cent over last October. Nationally, building permits were up by 14.6 per cent.

"What is most impressive about the increase in building permits is that most of it was in the non-residential area," Enterprise Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said. "The October 2009 non-residential permits were up by an astounding 302.1 per cent over last October, almost 30 times the national increase of only 11.4 per cent."

Building permits in the province jumped by 96.3 per cent between September and October on a seasonally adjusted basis. That was the highest percentage increase amongst the provinces and well ahead of the 18 per cent on a national level.

"In spite of major challenges in our economy and others across not only Canada but the globe, Saskatchewan's economy is bouncing back," Cheveldayoff said. "When we have construction growth at these levels, it is a clear sign that Saskatchewan has weathered the storm of the economic downturn and our economy is heading in the right direction."

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For more information, contact:

Deb Young
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6315
Email: Deb.Young@enterprisesask.ca