Posted on 01/09/2009, 1:20 pm, by mySteinbach

Manitoba continues to chart a steady economic course that positions the province well for the future, according to recent Statistics Canada information, Competitiveness, Training and Trade Minister Andrew Swan announced.
 
Statistics Canada reported the national economy shed 105,000 jobs in the last two months. In contrast, Manitoba’s economy added a further 2,000 jobs.
 
“While Manitoba is not immune to global economic turbulence, we continue to lead the nation on many fronts,” said Swan. “Our job performance in the last two months was the best among any province and full-time jobs were up 2,900.
 
“Over the last 12 months, the province’s employment grew by 10,100 individuals. This placed us in second place for job growth.” 
 
Manitoba’s unemployment rate was the third-lowest rate in the country at 4.3 per cent in December, up 0.1 percentage points from the December 2008 level. At the national level, the unemployment rate increased by 0.6 percentage points. Manitoba’s change over the last 12 months was the best performance of any province.
 
“The steady growth places Manitoba above the national average for many of the major economic indicators.  For three of every four indicators, we are out performing the Canadian average,” said Swan.