2019 was a difficult year for manufacturing in Saskatchewan.

That’s from David MacLean, Vice-President of Alberta and Saskatchewan for Canadian Manufactures and Exporters.

McLean says even though employment was up in the sector by 11 per cent compared to the previous year, sales were down 7 and a half per cent.

MacLean says there were a number of factors that went against Saskatchewan manufacturers including trade uncertainty with the North American Free Trade Agreement and rail congestion along with trade disputes with Asia.

Looking ahead at 2020, MacLean says there are good signs moving forward. He points to the USMCA, the replacement for NAFTA being passed which will provide the certainty that Saskatchewan exporters need.

MacLean says with steel and aluminum tariffs being axed in 2019 as another positive step for those in the industry moving forward in 2020.