View From the Legislature

Despite the many challenges that are happening in the world these days there was optimistic economic news in Manitoba this past week as Statistics Canada data showed that our province had one of the strongest employment recoveries in the country during the month of June. Overall, 28,900 more Manitobans were working in June than in the month of May as the province was able to reopen more quickly than most other parts of Canada and North America. Overall, Manitoba performed better than every province on the jobs front except for New Brunswick.

Digging a little deeper into the economic data for the province shows that total employment in June had recovered to 93 per cent of what it was in Manitoba in February, before the pandemic began. That aligns with the fact that well over 90% of the provincial economy has been able to reopen over the past several weeks.

Phase 3 of the reopening plan, which began in the second half of June, has been proceeding well which has allowed Manitoba’s public health officials to continue to loosen other restrictions in the province. While other jurisdictions in North America are having to revert to greater restrictions, through the support of Manitobans, the COVID19 cases in our province have remained among the lowest in the country.

As in every economic disruption, there are some groups that are more impacted than others. During the past few months, young people have been more likely to lose their jobs as a result of business closures because so many young people work in the service sector. And while there have been federal programs available to assist with income replacement, that is a poor substitute for the ability to work at a job. The Statistics Canada data from last week showed that Manitoba has the lowest youth unemployment rate in Canada. This is in part because the province has had some of the fewest restrictions and been able to open sooner than most of Canada, but also because the Government of Manitoba has put a particular focus on ensuring that students and young people could get back to work safely and quickly.

There are many days of uncertainty that still remain, but it is a credit to Manitobans that they have been able to lead the way from both a health perspective and an economic perspective during the past few months. That does not minimize or lessen the real economic and social hardship that many have faced since the global pandemic was declared. But it does provide for Manitobans reason to be optimistic in a time when optimism is more important than ever. As we continue to enjoy the summer weather and the many wonderful things that Manitoba has to offer, we collectively have reason to be encouraged by what is being accomplished in our province.