February 4, 2000
(Human Resources and Employment)

Province continues year over year employment gains

For the first month of the new year Newfoundland and Labrador continued its trend of year over year employment growth.

According to the latest Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada, the province�s employment grew by 2.4 per cent, or 4,500 jobs, as compared to the same time period last year. This is the 16th consecutive month for a year over year increase and the highest for the month of January since 1991. The year over year growth is attributed to a broad range of sectors and a more diversified economy.

"These latest numbers are reassuring," said Julie Bettney, Minister of Human Resources and Employment. "In 1998 and 1999 we experienced strong employment numbers and led the country in economic growth. Today�s numbers indicate a continuation of positive economic trends."

Despite the overall yearly gains Minister Bettney also noted that the seasonally adjusted numbers for the province fell from the previous month. In January employment dropped 3.4 per cent. The unemployment rate increased by 2.9 percentage points.

"This decline from the previous month is not surprising," said Minister Bettney. The province had a longer than normal shrimp and crab fishery and an extended construction season. Consequently, seasonal layoffs in these sectors were pushed into January which resulted in a larger than normal drop in job numbers for this time of year.

Minister Bettney also cautioned that due to the strong employment gains made over the past two years we are very likely to see a moderation of numbers in the coming year. Last year employment growth was 5.5 per cent, which followed a gain of 2.6 per cent in 1998.

Media contact: Marcia Porter, Communications, (709) 729-4062.

2000 02 04                                                         2:20 p.m.