Saskatchewan posts best manufacturing gains in Canada

Saskatchewan’s manufacturing shipments set a new record for the month of September, according to figures released by Statistics Canada.

Saskatchewan had the highest percentage increase in the nation on a year-over-year basis, up by 7.7 per cent. Nationally, figures were up only 1.8 per cent.

“The manufacturing sector is very important to our province’s economic growth,” Economy Minister Bill Boyd said in a statement. “Saskatchewan has a thriving manufacturing sector which creates quality products to supply consumers across the globe.”

On a monthly basis between August 2012 and September 2012, there was a slight decline of 0.5 per cent in sales in Saskatchewan. Over the same period, sales were up nationally by 0.4 per cent.

Manufactured wood products had the largest gain in the province, up 83.7 per cent over the prior year. Food and machinery manufacturing also experienced strong gains, up 16.2 per cent and 9.2 per cent year-over-year respectively.

“Strong gains in the manufacturing sector means more jobs and more investment in communities across the province,” Boyd said. “Strong job growth combined with a demand for Saskatchewan produced products has helped to keep our economy growing.”