Manitoba continues to have one of the strongest labour markets in the country according to the latest Statistics Canada employment report. This announcement was made by Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade Minister Peter Bjornson.
Last month, there was a net increase of 2,400 jobs in Manitoba. A slight decline in part-time jobs was offset by a gain of 3,200 full-time positions. In addition, private-sector jobs increased by 2,000 positions, with public-sector positions increasing by 400.
“Manitobans are very encouraged by our strong labour market. We had 4,400 additional labour force participants in March and 7,000 since January. Our unemployment rate of 5.5 per cent is the second lowest in the country and well below the national level of 7.7 per cent,” said Bjornson.
Over the last 12 months, Manitoba has seen strong labour force and employment numbers. This was led by full-time sector job growth.
“Nine of every 10 jobs created since March 2010 were full-time positions,” said Bjornson.
According to Statistics Canada:
• Over the last 12 months, the number of individuals entering the Manitoba labour force has increased by 15,100 for growth of 2.3 per cent, while at the national level, labour-force growth totalled a much smaller 1.3 per cent. Compared to the other provinces, Manitoba is ranked in first place.
• The total number of jobs increased by 12,400 since March 2010 for a growth rate of two per cent, which is higher than the national job growth.
• Nine of every 10 jobs created in the last 12 months were full time. The number of full-time workers grew by 2.3 per cent (+11,300), outpacing national growth of 1.8 per cent.
• In the last 12 months, there were 7,400 more private-sector jobs. This is an increase of 1.6 per cent, matching the national increase.
“Manitoba weathered the recent economic downturn very well and our recovery continues to progress as more full-time and private-sector jobs are added to the market,” said Bjornson.
