April 9, 1999
(Human Resources and Employment)

Year over year growth remains strong

Human Resources and Employment Minister Julie Bettney said today that she is pleased to see continued strong year over year employment growth in March. Compared to a year earlier, employment increased by 5.4 per cent, or 9,700 jobs, bringing the number employed to its highest level ever for that month. Statistics Canada released its monthly Labour Force Survey this morning.

"It is encouraging to see employment for the first quarter of 1999 up by 5.7 per cent compared to the same period last year," said the minister. "That translates into more than 10,000 jobs. In the same period the number of people receiving social assistance declined by 6.8 per cent, and the caseload remains at its lowest level since mid-1993."

Since year over year growth in the labour force (those working or actively seeking work) exceeded the growth in employment, the actual unemployment rate increased slightly to 19.2 per cent from 19 per cent.

"The strong gain in the labour force shows increasing confidence among the workforce that jobs are available," noted the minister. "It also shows companies that there is a plentiful supply of workers and this makes Newfoundland and Labrador an attractive place for business start-ups. No other province recorded stronger growth in its labour force in this latest survey."

Employment gains in March were led by the wholesale and retail trade industry which is benefitting from a rise in consumer spending. Other industries that contributed to employment gains included construction, transportation and storage, professional, scientific and technical, as well as finance, insurance and real estate.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, Statistics Canada reported that the unemployment rate edged higher in March, to 17.6 per cent from 15.5 per cent in February, as the number of jobs declined by 4,200. "It is not surprising to see some slippage in the March job numbers, as employment had surged ahead by nearly 10,000 from December to February," said Minister Bettney. "However, on a year-to-date basis, Newfoundland and Labrador remains the province with the strongest employment growth."

Media contact: Lynn Evans, Communications, (709) 729-5611.

1999 04 09 12:55 p.m.