There were approximately 6,500 more Manitobans working in January than the month prior, new monthly employment statistics show, resulting in the province’s largest month-over-month increase in more than a decade.
“The latest employment numbers indicate the highest employment growth in the province since April 2008, evidence that our government is moving Manitoba forward,” said Premier Brian Pallister. “We continue to create a business-friendly environment and our plan to grow the private sector for the benefit of all Manitobans is working.”
According to the latest figures from Statistics Canada, the increase in employment in January was accompanied by a decline in Manitoba’s unemployment rate to 5.1 per cent, down from 5.3 per cent in 2019. Manitoba now has the second-lowest unemployment rate in Canada.
The province’s labour force has increased by 1.1 per cent, while the country’s rate as a whole increased by 0.1 per cent.
Manitoba is a leader with amongst the highest per-capita private-sector investment growth across the country, according to Statistics Canada. The premier noted the growth and business confidence in Manitoba shows the success of the government’s Economic Growth Action Plan, a plan to create 40,000 jobs in the province over the next four years.
The new provincial Economic Development Office is emphasizing teamwork, improved co-ordination, reduced duplication and the elimination of red tape to help create clear pathways for investors and entrepreneurs.
“The premier has led the way in the fight to break down siloes, reduce trade barriers and lower taxes, and our government continues to create a business-friendly environment that has led to the largest month-over-month employment increase in Manitoba in more than 10 years,” said Economic Development and Training Minister Ralph Eichler. “We continue to remove obstacles to economic growth and investment to move Manitoba forward.”
Manitoba’s employment level increased by 6,500, which amounts to a one per cent increase, above the 0.2 per cent increase for the rest of the country as a whole. Full-time employment in Manitoba grew by about 1,500 in January.
