EMPLOYMENT HOLDS STEADY IN JANUARY

Saskatchewan's job figures remained basically unchanged in January with 474,900 people employed on a seasonally unadjusted basis. This is the second-highest job total ever recorded for January.

On a year-over-year basis, Saskatchewan's job numbers are down marginally by 600 or 0.1 per cent.

Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said the January numbers are not that surprising. "We're coming off a record year for employment in this province. Our average annual employment was the highest ever in 2003, and our job figures for January of this year are second only to the record set in January of last year."

Cline said the January 2004 totals would reflect the impact of BSE on the livestock industry which would not have made its presence felt in the January 2003 figures. "Last month's employment in livestock production is down a full 2,000 from the previous year. Most other sectors of our economy held steady."

Saskatchewan's job totals showed increases in the resource industries, and in retail and wholesale trade in January 2004. In addition, more positive job figures for crop production and mixed farming helped overall agricultural employment nudge up by 100 on a year-over-year basis. However, this follows years of steady decline in agricultural employment.

"We're starting the year with near-record employment for January," Cline said. "That's positive. The number of full-time jobs is up by 5,600 on a year over year basis, and that's positive. We also know the fundamentals of our economy are sound. Solid economic growth is forecast, with Saskatchewan expected to be near the top in 2004. Key economic indicators such as retail sales, value of building permits, mineral production, and manufacturing shipments all reflect an improving climate for growth in our province."

On a month-over-month basis (December 2003 – January 2004) Saskatchewan was one of six provinces to either remain unchanged or show a decline. Alberta showed the largest drop in seasonally adjusted employment, losing 8,200 jobs in January compared to December 2003.

Saskatchewan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined by 0.1 per cent from December 2003. At 5.6 per cent, Saskatchewan had the third lowest unemployment rate in Canada in January.

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For More Information, Contact:

Janet Peters Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-8277