Manitoba's economic picture

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Work underway on new women’s hospital at Health Sciences Centre.

Rob Cunningham just needs to look at the volume of jobs his business is able to bid on these days to justify why his optimism about the economic future in the city.

And the president of Cunningham Business Interiors believes there's many others who share his enthusiasm.

"A number of our customers are planning renovations, expansions or moves," he said. "I see lots of great projects that are continuing to move forward. So that is encouraging."

The latest Winnipeg Free Press-Jory Capital poll produced by Probe Research late last month, shows 83 per cent of Winnipeggers are convinced their city will experience a bright economic future, up slightly from the end of last year.

The trend line has been fairly constant over the past year even though the global and national economic picture continues to include a number of question marks. But through it all, Winnipeg has been able to forge ahead with enough high-profile developments to brush over some of that uncertainty.

"We are definitely sensing optimism in the business community," said Bill Morrissey, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce vice-president who is heading up Yes! Winnipeg, the private-sector initiative recently formed to help grow and attract new businesses to the city.

Yes! Winnipeg is looking to raise $6 million for a five-year mandate and Morrissey said they are more than halfway there.

"We are out there asking people to invest in this initiative and we are making good progress," Morrissey said. "They wouldn't be making those commitments and investing in the initiative if they didn't have confidence about where the city is headed."

The June labour-force numbers from Statistics Canada showed there are 2.3 per cent more people employed in the province than a year ago and Manitoba posted the lowest unemployment rate in the country surpassing Saskatchewan for the number-one spot for the second time in the past year.

The June Free Press-Jory survey showed anxiety levels about job losses have come down one percentage point from 12 months ago.

"The confidence level in the city is huge," said Patrick Cooney, president of Jory Capital. "The infrastructure spending is working. You see the construction cranes and people have more confidence. There is a big change in Winnipeg."

Scott MacKay, president of Probe Research, noted optimism among Winnipeggers has remained flat since early last year, hovering in the 81 to 87 per cent range.

"I think there are lots of things going on in Winnipeg. The housing market remains strong and properties continue to appreciate in value, which makes people feel good about where they live. There's very low unemployment here, too. We have a very balanced economy. I think all of these things are at play," he said.

Even though the Prairie crop-production forecasts are not great this year, the city's agricultural equipment manufacturing industry has had a strong 12 months.

André Granger, vice-president and general manager of Westeel, the custom grain-storage equipment manufacturer, said the long-term prospects -- nationally and internationally -- are great for the sector.

And Granger believes Winnipeg is a great base from which to be operating.

"The work being done and the level of activity in the city... we have not seen anything like it for many years," he said. "There is a certain momentum and enthusiasm that is starting to show."

The poll of 1,000 Manitobans, including 600 Winnipeggers, was taken from June 8-15. It is considered accurate within 3.1 per cent 95 per cent of the time.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca

24

Percentage of Manitobans surveyed who said their household financial situation has improved in the past 12 months. In March, 23 per cent said they were better off.

37

Percentage of Manitobans who expect their personal situation will improve in the coming year. That number is unchanged since March.

15

Percentage of Manitobans who are worried about someone in their household losing their job in the next 12 months. In March of this year, that employment anxiety number was 16 per cent.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 13, 2010 A9