12,000 new jobs slated for Winnipeg by 2016

WINNIPEG — Manitoba is headed for a period of steady economic growth, according to a report issued Wednesday by Bank of Montreal.

In Winnipeg alone, the bank expects 12,000 new jobs created over the next three years.

That would pull the jobless rate in the province’s largest city down to five per cent, among the lowest in Canada.

“Manitoba’s diverse economy continues to grow at a steady pace,” BMO senior economist Robert Kavcic said.

“Stability remains one of Manitoba’s key economic strengths, and the city of Winnipeg is no exception.”

The bank estimates Manitoba’s economy will grow by two per cent this year, down from 2.7 per cent last year, but better than the national average.

It says Manitoba’s manufacturing sector is on the mend after falling seven per cent during the 2009 recession.

Manufacturers that serve the transportation and aerospace

Stability remains one of Manitoba’s key economic strengths ROBERT KAVCIC

sectors were hit especially hard during the downturn. Fiscal woes in many U.S. cities, along with tightened travel spending, meant fewer orders for new planes, trains and buses.

But BMO says companies such as Boeing Canada are ramping up production. Boeing’s Winnipeg site is the largest aerospace composite manufacturer in the country, producing parts for several commercial airplane models.

And Winnipeg-based public transit bus-maker New Flyer Industries Inc. announced some encouraging news this week with new orders for 513 buses, including 253 firm orders and 260 options, during the second quarter — a big increase over the 90 orders received the same period last year.

BMO said exports should be boosted further if recent weakness in the Canadian dollar persists.

The bank said Manitoba’s mining and energy sectors are also seeing strong momentum, though they are a relatively small part of the province’s economy. Oil production was at about 18 million barrels in 2012, up substantially from eight million barrels just five years ago.

Existing home sales in Winnipeg were down 6.3 per cent in the first six months of 2013, however, average prices are up seven per cent.