JOB NUMBERS CONTINUE DRAMATIC RISE

Released on July 5, 2002

Saskatchewan's job numbers continued their dramatic rise in June, posting

their second double-digit increase in as many months.



Statistics Canada figures released today show a 12,800 gain in employment

numbers over the previous June. That follows an 11,100 jump in May over

May of 2001.



There were 494,300 people employed in the province last month (seasonally

unadjusted), an increase of 2.7 per cent from the previous year and the

largest percentage increase among the western provinces.



"We've had great job numbers for two months in a row, which is a testament

to the fundamental strength of our economy," Industry and Resources

Minister Eldon Lautermilch said. "Saskatchewan had a decade of solid job

growth prior to the agriculture challenges of last year - these latest

stats are further evidence that Saskatchewan may be returning to those

growth years."



Job numbers increased in services, retail and wholesale trade, and finance,

insurance and real estate. Employment in agriculture, a sector that has

struggled in recent years, was relatively unchanged - a decrease of 300

over the previous June.



Other economic indicators were also positive. Retail and department store

sales, new motor vehicle sales, urban housing starts, new business

incorporations, residential building permit values and manufacturing

shipments are all up. Social assistance caseloads are at their lowest

level in a decade.



Lautermilch noted all major banks and the Conference Board of Canada are

optimistic about Saskatchewan's economic prospects in 2002. The Toronto

Dominion Bank has just revised its forecast upwards for 2003, predicting

that Saskatchewan will post 4.2 per cent growth next year.



Saskatchewan had the second lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 4.9 per

cent in June (seasonally unadjusted), down 0.4 percentage points from last

year, and well below the national rate of 7.1 per cent. Regina's

unemployment rate of 4.4 per cent was the second lowest of major Canadian

cities.



"Our job numbers will continue to fluctuate each month, but today's figures

are very encouraging for an economy that is dealing with challenges but

which is seizing its rich opportunities," Lautermilch said. "Our

diversification efforts of the last decade have positioned us well for

future growth, as has our plan of investments in key infrastructure,

sustainable tax cuts, sound fiscal management and new investment

attraction. Working with Saskatchewan businesses and communities, we will

create more jobs for Saskatchewan people and more prosperity for our

province."



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For more information, contact:



Bob Ellis

Industry and Resources

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-1691