On August 29, 2011, The Manitoba Employers Council (MEC) released a report that clearly shows that despite the fact over the last decade we have seen Manitoba’s economy grow in a slow, yet steady manner we find ourselves in many instances falling further behind neighbouring jurisdictions.
The Manitoba Prosperity Report reviewed and analyzed a number of key economic indicators over the last ten years to determine whether Manitoba has achieved its prosperity potential relative to British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario.
Some of the highlights of the Manitoba Prosperity Report are:
- Manitoba’s personal disposable income has increased by 20 per cent, but ranks last among its neighbours;
- Manitoba’s labour force has increased 12 per cent, but ranks last among its neighbours;
- Manitoba’s personal income taxes, for a two-earner family of 4 @$60,000, have decreased 15 per cent, but are, on an annual basis, the highest;
- Approximately 11 per cent of Manitoba’s labour force has less than a high school education, down from 16.5 per cent;
- Manitoba is the only province to post a net interprovincial migration loss each year;
- Manitoba is home to 35 of the top 800 largest companies in Canada, up from 27; and
- Manitoba’s entrepreneurial intensity remains unchanged at 63 businesses per 1,000 population, below the 79 businesses per 1,000 population average.