February employment sets record high for province

Growth in industries such as transportation and warehousing, and professional, scientific and technical services helped Newfoundland and Labrador post record high employment for the month of February. The previous record high for February was set in 1990. 

Employment in the province increased by 1.2 per cent, an increase of 2,300 jobs as compared to the same period last year, according to the latest Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada. The unemployment rate for the province stood at 17.3 per cent for the month, a drop of 1.3 percentage points as compared to the same time period last year. 

Seasonally adjusted, the unemployment rate stood at 16.4 per cent, up by 0.1 of a percentage point from the previous month. 

"These latest numbers are very encouraging," said Gerald Smith, Minister of Human Resources and Employment. "Setting a new employment record for February is definitely a reason to feel optimistic and confident about Newfoundland and Labrador's economy."

Employment gains, while broadly based, were concentrated in transportation and warehousing, professional, scientific and technical services, management and administration, and information, culture and recreational services.
Media contact: Marcia Porter, Communications, (709) 729-4062.

2001 03 09                                                    12:45 p.m.