RECORD SASKJOBS VISITS REFLECT INTEREST IN PROVINCE

The recent CNN website article about Saskatchewan has helped generate record interest in the Saskjobs.ca website.

"Saskatchewan continues to be a light in a dim global economic situation," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. "While we know that we are not immune to the effects of this downturn, awareness of our province is reaching remarkable levels - and that awareness is good for our province now and in the future."

In the two days after CNN.com featured an article titled "Saskatchewan a jobs 'hot spot' in Canada," SaskJobs.ca hosted more than 52,000 visits, including a single-day record of 27,800 on March 4. The record day also saw a 10-fold increase over the 30-day average in visits from the United States, with 87 per cent of those being new visitors. SaskJobs.ca received hits from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

"More people than ever are viewing Saskatchewan as a place of opportunity," Norris said. "Our economy is the strongest in Canada, and our government is focused on keeping our economy strong and helping to create even more opportunities."

As of this morning, there were over 5,800 job openings posted on SaskJobs.ca.

The original CNN article can be found at: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/03/04/saskatchewan.economy/index.html#cnnSTCText.

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For more information, contact:

Christopher Jones-Bonk
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3106
Email: chris.jones-bonk@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-531-4904