MANITOBA JOB REBOUND A ‘STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION’

Manitoba has posted one of the strongest employment rebounds in the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, Statistics Canada numbers show. The agency’s monthly jobs report released Friday says 28,900 more Manitobans were working in June compared with May, and May’s numbers had already jumped from April’s. Total employment by June had recovered to 93 per cent of what it was in February before the pandemic began — the second-highest rate among the provinces behind New Brunswick. “We think it’s a very positive step in the right direction,” Finance Minister Scott Fielding said, noting the unemployment rate dropped to 10.1 per cent. The numbers also show disparities: the employment rebound has been much lower for young people and low-wage earners across the country. Manitoba recorded the lowest youth unemployment rate in June.