The provincial government says, after staying strong through 2009, Saskatchewan will continue to lead the nation economically into 2010.

     Enterprise and Trade Minister Ken Cheveldayoff says the province did relatively well in 2009, as the country went through a recession.  He says the province maintained the lowest unemployment rate in Canada, and hit an all-time population record in 2009.

     Cheveldayoff says Saskatchewan's economy is projected to grow by 2.9 percent in 2010, according to the average of nine leading economic forecasters.  He adds that the province had the best job growth rate in 2009, and that momentum is expected to continue.

     Cheveldayoff adds that the downturn in the potash market was a lowlight, but says things are expected to turn around in 2010.