YEAR-END JOB NUMBERS SHOW MORE SASKATCHEWAN PEOPLE WORKING THAN EVER BEFORE

Released on January 12, 1999

Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Janice MacKinnon today

said Saskatchewan's record employment figures in 1998 show the extent

to which the provincial economy has diversified.



"We continue to build on a solid employment base, with more people

working in our province than at any time in our history," MacKinnon

said. "At a time when we are experiencing lower commodity and oil

prices and the Asian flu', our more broadly-based economy is creating

more and better jobs for Saskatchewan people."



The minister said year-end figures from Statistics Canada show total

employment of 478,600, an increase of 4,400 jobs over the previous

record figure of 474,200, set in 1997. The number of full-time jobs

increased by 7,100 from the 1997 figure.



"I'm especially gratified by the continued increase in our full-time

labour force," MacKinnon said. "These are the jobs which most benefit

our families and provide stability for them."



MacKinnon noted that the figures also showed an increase of 1,800 jobs

in December, 1998 compared to December, 1997.



Saskatchewan had the third lowest unemployment rate in the

country at 5.9 per cent in 1998, well below the national rate of

8.3 per cent. Regina's unemployment rate of 5.5 per cent in

December was tied for third lowest of any major city in Canada.



Other indicators were also positive. Urban housing starts

increase 9 per cent January-November from the same period of the

previous year. Rural housing starts were up almost 30 per cent

January-September over the previous period. Total building

permits were up 13.4 per cent January-October over the same

period in 1997. Expected capital investment intentions showed a

7 per cent increase in 1998.



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For more information, contact:



Bob Ellis

Economic and Co-operative Development

Regina

Phone: (306)787-1691