BIGGEST INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT IN MORE THAN 10 YEARS

Released on June 6, 1997

Deputy Premier and Economic and Co-operative Development Minister

Dwain Lingenfelter today announced that the number of people working

in Saskatchewan increased by 14,700 in May compared to May 1996.

21,000 more people were working in May 1997 compared to the month

before.



"This is the biggest year-to-year employment increase we've seen in

Saskatchewan in more than 10 years," Lingenfelter said. "It's another

in a long list of positive indicators that our economy is continuing

to grow and create jobs for the people in this province."



"At the same time, the size of the labour force increased by 10,400 in

May, refuting the contention that Saskatchewan has maintained its low

unemployment rate by exporting its unemployed."



About 485,100 Saskatchewan people were employed this May, according to

Statistics Canada.



Saskatchewan also had the lowest unemployment rate in the country at

5.6 per cent in May, well below the national rate of 9.5 per cent.

Regina's unemployment rate of 6.1 per cent is the lowest of any

capital city in Canada. Provincially, the number of unemployed people

dropped by 4,300 this May compared to May 1997. (The province had the

lowest rate in Canada for most of this year and last).



The increase in employment numbers was primarily driven by job

increases of 11,000 in the service industry, 4,800 in

manufacturing, 4,300 in construction and 4,200 in the finance,

insurance and real estate sectors.



"This is another piece of good news that demonstrates we are

succeeding in our efforts to work together to build a stronger

economy," Lingenfelter said. "I congratulate all the businesses,

co-operatives and employees who have helped to achieve this."



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For more information, contact:



Karen Schmidt

Economic and Co-operative Development

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-1611