SEVENTY PER CENT INCREASE IN WHOLESALE TRADE

While the rest of Canada had only slight increases in wholesale trade in the month of August, Saskatchewan had a whopping 70.4 per cent increase to $1.9 billion over last August on a seasonally unadjusted basis according to Statistics Canada today.

Nationally, wholesale trade was up only 1.0 per cent over the same period. Alberta had an 11.1 per cent increase, while Manitoba had a decrease of 1.7 per cent and British Columbia declined by 2.0 per cent.

"This is a staggering increase, which suggests our economy is in a great position to ride out this economic storm that is battering the global marketplace," Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart said.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, Saskatchewan's wholesale trade increased by 5.2 per cent between July 2008 and August 2008, the second highest percentage increase among the provinces, with British Columbia recording the highest increase at 5.5 per cent. On a national basis, wholesale trade figures declined by 1.5 per cent over the same period.

"We do expect there may be a slight cooling of numbers down the road, but there is every indication that Saskatchewan's economy will continue to lead the nation for the foreseeable future," Stewart said.

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For more information, contact:

Leanne Persicke
Executive Council
Regina
Email: leanne.persicke@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-541-7083