March 11, 2005

More Manitobans are working than ever before, Industry, Economic Development and Mines Minister Jim Rondeau said today. He was reacting to today’s Statistics Canada report that showed 2,800 additional jobs were created in Manitoba in February.

"Our monthly employment increase is the best in the country," said Rondeau. "Our job increase of 0.5 per cent is well above the national average of 0.2 per cent."

In February, there were 582,500 Manitobans working in the province. This is the highest level ever.

"The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for February declined from 5.1 per cent to 5.0 per cent," said Rondeau. "This is the third lowest unemployment rate in the country."

In the last 12 months, total employment increased by 9,100 persons or 1.6 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. This is above the national growth of 1.5 per cent.

Since February 2004, an additional 5,900 jobs were created in the private sector. In the last 12 months, the labour force grew by 11,000 people or 1.8 per cent, well above the national growth rate of 1.2 per cent. This represents growth of 1.4 per cent, exceeding Canadian growth of 1.3 per cent.

"Manitoba’s job performance over the last five years has been more than double that of the 1990s," said Rondeau.

Since 1999, Manitoba averaged 7,200 more jobs each year. This is a 133 per cent increase over the 1989 to 1999 period when average annual growth was only 3,091.

"The new labour market numbers are another indicator the Manitoba economy is performing well," said Rondeau. "For most indicators in 2004 and now in 2005, we are performing above national levels."

The minister noted these performance indicators include average weekly earnings, retail trade, construction work, capital investment, manufacturing shipments and high population growth through increased inflow from other countries and provinces.

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