SASKATCHEWAN SETS JOBS RECORD

Released on July 7, 2000

Saskatchewan is continuing its strong job growth in 2000, and has set a record

for the number of people working in the province.



Job figures released today by Statistics Canada show 497,300 people working in

Saskatchewan in June 2000, beating the previous record set in July 1999.



"We're pleased with our strong job numbers, which reflect our growing and

diversified economy," Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Janice

MacKinnon said. "What's especially gratifying is the continued increase in the

number of full-time jobs – jobs on which families can build their futures."



The number of people working full-time increased by 5,300 from June 1999 to

June 2000. The Saskatchewan economy has created an average of 13,600 full-time

jobs in the first six months of 2000.



Saskatchewan's overall unemployment rate of 5.2 per cent in June 2000 was

unchanged from the previous year. The rate was well below the national average

of 6.3 per cent.



"While job numbers fluctuate from month-to-month, they have been tracking well

for the last year, and our good numbers for 2000 indicate a future bright with

new jobs and opportunities for Saskatchewan people," MacKinnon said.



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For more information, contact:



Bob Ellis

Economic and Co-operative Development

Regina

Phone (306) 787-1691



Note to Editors: These are seasonally unadjusted figures as supplied by

Statistics Canada. Adjusted and unadjusted figures can be found on Statistics

Canada's website: www.statscan.ca