New figures from Statistics Canada show new growth in Manitoba’s labour market as the provincial unemployment rate sits at 5.2 per cent, the third lowest in the country. This announcement was made by Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade Minister Peter Bjornson.
“It’s a good sign as our numbers buck the national trend,” Bjornson said. “This shows the investments we’re making in our economy to keep people working, find good jobs and attract new business are working. More people are setting up shop in Manitoba and that all adds greatly to our economy.”
Manitoba’s employment level is estimated at 626,300 people, an increase of 1,600 from September’s level of 624,700 and the highest employment level in the last seven months. Over the first 10 months of 2011, Manitoba’s unemployment rate has averaged 5.4 per cent. That is the second lowest unemployment rate in the country, well below the national unemployment rate of 7.5 per cent, the minister noted.
Manitoba’s youth unemployment rate now stands at 11.8 per cent, a decrease from 12.3 per cent in September. The Manitoba youth rate is now the third-lowest in the country and still well below the national rate of 14.1 per cent.
“Youth are the key to a prosperous future,” said Bjornson. “We’ll keep making investments in job training to ensure our young people can get the education they need to get good jobs and stay in Manitoba to raise their families.”
