NB 168
Feb. 9, 2007
FREDERICTON (CNB) - The unemployment rate in New Brunswick dropped to 8.1 per cent compared to 8.5 per cent the previous month, Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Ed Doherty announced today.
"I remain optimistic as the unemployment rate stays in the eight-point range. I was also pleased to see that 3,000 more New Brunswickers were working as compared to last month, and that there were increases in the labour force levels," the minister said. "It is for this reason that our government committed to making job creation and economic development a priority again."
Figures released by Statistics Canada show that there were 357,300 New Brunswickers employed in January, up by 3,000 from last month. The monthly unemployment rate stood at 8.1 per cent in January, a decrease from December's unemployment rate of 8.5 per cent. In addition, the labour force in the province which measures those working or actively seeking work stood at 389,000 last month.
"We will continue to focus on our long-term plan as outlined in the Charter For Change," Doherty said. "Our strategy to grow a skilled workforce through retaining and providing skills to our current workers, repatriating former New Brunswickers and renewed efforts through immigration will produce results in the long term and help us build a brighter future."
Employment growth in January was strongest in these top three areas on a year over year basis: Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing; Utilities; and Construction.
07/02/09
MEDIA CONTACT: Elaine Bell, communications, Post-Secondary Education and Training, 506-453-2568.
07/02/09