Nova Scotia Big Job Winner
New Statistics Canada figures show that Nova Scotia's growth strategy continues to help put more Nova Scotians to work than ever before, Premier John Hamm said today, Aug. 6.
The July employment survey report was released today by the federal agency. It indicated that 449,200 Nova Scotians were working last month -- tying an all-time high set two months ago. In the last month alone, 1,100 new jobs were created in Nova Scotia, out of the 8,700 new jobs created nationwide. Premier Hamm noted that with three per cent of Canada's population, Nova Scotia created more than 12 per cent of the new jobs.
"For the fifth month this year, more Nova Scotians have gone to work and collected a pay cheque than at any time in our history," said Premier Hamm. "I would like to thank Nova Scotia employers and employees who continue to show so much confidence in our province."
The Statistics Canada figures also showed that over the last five years, more people are working in every region of the province. Opportunities for Prosperity, Nova Scotia's growth strategy released in the fall of 2000, included strengthening regional economies as one of its key strategic directions. Over the last five years, 40,000 new jobs have been created in Nova Scotia.
"Our government remains committed to creating a climate for private sector growth that gives every Nova Scotian, regardless of where they live, the opportunity to live, work and raise a family in the community of their choice," added the premier.
The premier also noted that Nova Scotia is now halfway towards the government's four-year goal set in the summer of 2003 to create 30,000 new jobs by 2007. Statistics Canada's report showed that more than 15,000 new jobs were created over the last 12 months, with 80 per cent of those new jobs being full-time.
"Last summer, I pledged to Nova Scotians that our plan would result in 30,000 new jobs over the next four years and it's good news that we're already halfway there with three years to go," said the premier. "But as a government, we must continue to do more and work harder to encourage our entrepreneurs to create new jobs, while keeping the jobs we already have."