SASKATCHEWAN BUILDING PERMITS CONTINUE UPWARD TREND

PLEASE NOTE:  This release has been updated Jan 9, 3:45 pm. 

Saskatchewan building permits continued on the upward trajectory with the latest figures showing an 8.8 per cent increase totalling $150 million for November 2008 up from October 2008 on a seasonally adjusted basis.

The report released by Stats Canada today, shows that when compared to November 2007, the November 2008 seasonally adjusted figure is a 26.6 per cent increase, the highest among the provinces.

"These figures show that builders and buyers continue to have strong confidence in the resiliency of the Saskatchewan economy," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said on behalf of Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart. "Despite the tough economic times, we are pleased to see that many of our economic sectors continue to perform way above average."

Non-residential permits in Saskatchewan increased by 59.9 per cent for a total of $80 million seasonally adjusted, which was the highest among the provinces.

Compared to other western provinces Saskatchewan's overall increase of 26.6 per cent was far ahead of decreases in Manitoba (-5.9 per cent), Alberta (-14.5 per cent) and BC (-32.6 per cent).

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For more information, contact:

Tim Tororey
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-798-0503
Email: tim.tororey@gov.sk.ca