Economy & Jobs

Manitobans find themselves with more job opportunities than ever before, despite uncertain economic times. We are ensuring businesses have the tools they need to succeed and that Manitobans have the jobs they need to contribute to our economy.

  • Manitoba continues to have among the lowest unemployment rates in the country.

  • Our youth unemployment rate remains the third lowest in the nation.

  • In the last year, the Private Sector has added 13,400 positions.

  • Full-time jobs in Manitoba have increased by 11,300 in the last year.

  • Manitoba is one of the most affordable places to live in Canada, and Winnipeg has a lower cost of living than other major Canadian cities.

  • On October 1, 2012, Manitoba’s minimum wage increased to $10.25. The minimum wage has increased regularly since 1999.

Expanding the labour force

The Province aims to add 75,000 workers to the Manitoba labour force by 2020. In February 2013, the Premier's Economic Advisory Council hosted a skills summit to focus discussions among leaders in business, labour and education and training around five key themes:

  • training more young people for the jobs of tomorrow;

  • connecting more Manitobans with trades training;

  • growing Manitoba's successful immigration strategy;

  • building Manitoba's First Nations, Métis and Inuit workforce; and

  • ensuring every Manitoban who faces barriers to working has access to training and good jobs.

Increasing apprenticeships

Many skilled trades are short-staffed and we are working to fill those jobs to protect our economy.

  • We have provided major funding toward the first phase of a new Skilled Trades and Technology Centre for Red River College. This will house many of the high-demand construction trade programs, including carpentry, electrical and plumbing.

  • We are helping businesses hire more apprentices by expanding on our already significant apprenticeship tax credits; a benefit for both employers and students.

  • Budget 2012 invested in rural and northern trades training, including E-apprenticeship development.

  • Over the last five years, we have doubled funding for apprenticeship programming as part of our government’s efforts to create new training opportunities.

  • The number of active apprentices in Manitoba doubled between 1999 and 2012.

Figures are current as of March, 2013