Manitoba Economic Profile “Bland” Works and is the Envy of other Western Provinces

CALGARY, AB - Just as the careful approach followed by Canada s banking system helped it escape the global financial meltdown, the balance in Manitoba's economy allowed it to avoid the recession contagion.

A new Canada West Foundation report examines what made Manitoba a contender to being the only province in Canada to post growth in 2009.

The report, Avoiding Recession Contagion Manitoba Economic Profile and Forecast by Jacques Marcil, takes an in-depth look at Manitoba’s economy, scanning everything from manufacturing to infrastructure investment.  It concluded that, at this point, even if Manitoba s economy barely grew in 2009 and will not lead Canada in 2010, other provinces in the West would love to be in Manitoba s situation.

“Although Manitobans should be happy about this, many think that the balanced moniker has been used too often in the past when describing the province s economy. According to them, it makes Manitoba come across as bland and boring,” says Jacques Marcil, senior economist. Well, 2009 proved that bland works: Manitoba escaped the recession, albeit barely, and compared to other Canadian provinces it did well.”

The report is part of Canada West Foundation’s economic activity monitoring in the four western provinces. Released quarterly, one economic profile and forecast report is produced each year for British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Canada West Foundation is the only think tank dedicated to being the objective, non-partisan voice for issues of vital concern to western Canadians.  For 40 years, through its research and commentary, the Foundation has contributed to better government decisions and a stronger Canadian economy.