December 03, 2004

Industry, Economic Development and Mines Minister Jim Rondeau today expressed his confidence in the province’s economy and said he is encouraged by Statistics Canada’s labour force numbers showing 3,700 more full-time jobs in November.

"There are more people working in Manitoba than ever before. Our full-time job growth rate was the second strongest of all provinces last month," Rondeau said. "This is the fourth consecutive month that Manitoba has experienced total employment growth."

In November, Manitoba’s full-time job rate grew 0.8 per cent and there were
579,900 Manitobans employed In the last 12 months, Manitoba employment grew by 11,900 people or 2.1 per cent. This was the third best job performance of any province and above the national job growth of 1.5 per cent. In the past year, 9,600 new jobs, nearly nine of every 10 jobs created, were full-time.

There has also been extensive labour force growth. Manitoba’s labour force has grown by 10,800 people or 1.8 per cent in the last 12 months. Canada’s growth was
1.2 per cent.

The new labour force statistics indicate Manitoba still has the second lowest unemployment rate in the country at 5.1 per cent. This is more than two percentage points below the national rate of 7.3 per cent. Manitoba's youth unemployment rate was the third lowest in the country at 10.6 per cent and well below the national rate of 13.2 per cent.

The number of unemployed fell by 1,000 people or 3.1 per cent since November 2003. Nationally, the number of unemployed persons decreased by 1.9 per cent.

According to Statistics Canada, Manitoba’s population of those 15 years and older has increased by 9,500 people. This is an increase of 1.1 per cent and represents the fourth best growth rate in the country.

"More young people are coming to Manitoba than leaving," said Rondeau. "Manitoba has experienced four consecutive years of positive net in-migration of persons aged
15 to 24. This has not happened since the mid 1980s.

"Today's Statistics Canada labour force numbers continue to show successful economic performance in 2004. Average weekly earnings, housing starts, exports, investment, manufacturing shipments and the reduction in consumer and business bankruptcies are all considerably higher in Manitoba."

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