View From the Legislature

Many aspects of life and the economy have been disrupted over the past 18 months and it is encouraging to see so many returning. Economically, the impact on businesses and individuals is almost impossible to measure but there was at least some encouraging news released earlier this week by Statistics Canada.

In their monthly jobs report, Statistics Canada indicated that Manitoba doubled the national average for job growth and, in July, had Canada’s lowest unemployment rate. In July, Manitoba’s unemployment rate decreased by 1.5% with unemployment decreasing for men, women, and youth. In addition, private sector employment grew by 2.4% adding 11,700 jobs.

While these are encouraging statistics, the reality is that the road of economic recovery past the pandemic is likely to be a long one with unpredictable turns. Manitobans have, perhaps more than ever, realized the importance of small business in our province and have stepped up to support them the best they can. As workers return to service industries with fewer public health requirements, lets continue to be both supportive of our businesses and in our understanding of the adjustments they are again making. The economic statistics point to a strong recovery, but one that still has a long way to go.