Manitoba Labour Market Bulletin

October 2011

Manitoba Labour Market Bulletin – October 2011 (PDF version, 127 kb)

The Labour Market Bulletin is produced monthly by economists and labour market analysts employed by Service Canada in the Western Canada and Territories Region.

Content is intended for personal and public non-commercial use.

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Editor, Labour Market Bulletin
Service Canada–Western Canada and Territories Region
Labour Market Information Services
Western Canada and Territories Region
Service Canada
266 Graham Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 0K3

Province-wide

Manitoba tourism industry expected to flourish: The return of the Winnipeg Jets, the completion of the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, the Assiniboine Park redevelopment project and the Winnipeg Convention Centre expansion are among the major events expected to boost Manitoba tourism in the coming years. Manitoba's $1.8 billion tourism industry is expected to grow 3.8% in 2011 and in the 5% range in subsequent years. This growth will create jobs in skilled trades during construction and bolster employment in sales and service occupations in the future. Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, September 1, 2011.

Strong year for trucking industry despite difficulties: Manitoba's trucking industry is growing despite the closure of several highways this year due to flooding. This growth has the potential to significantly impact provincial employment. Indeed, Manitoba accounts for only 3% of the national population but 5% of Canada’s total trucking industry. This translates into approximately 30,000 jobs in the trucking industry and considerable spin-off employment. An estimated seven jobs are created outside of the industry for every 10 direct trucking industry hires. Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, September 8, 2011.

Blockbuster leaving Manitoba: Blockbuster Canada Co. has ordered the closure of its eight remaining Manitoba locations, leaving an estimated 80 people out of work. At the beginning of 2010, Blockbuster had 20 locations in Manitoba. However, due to poor performance, the home entertainment provider closed one of these stores in January, and was later forced to closed 11 more locations when they entered into receivership in May. Key Sources: The Canadian Press, August 31, 2011; Winnipeg Free Press, September 19, 2011.

Winnipeg

New infectious disease lab being built: Construction is underway on the new $64 million JC Wilt Infectious Diseases Research Centre. The facility, which should be operational by February 2013, will consist primarily of labs built to Level 2 Health Canada bio-containment standards. A wide range of construction jobs will be created as a result of this project. Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, September 2, 2011.

Safeway opens its first LEED-certified store: Canada Safeway has opened its first LEED-certified store in Winnipeg’s River East Plaza. The new $20 million, 49,000 square foot store replaces an old store located on the same property. Safeway has retained all staff working at its old operation and has hired an additional 100 people to work in the new store. Key Sources: Winnipeg Free Press, September 2, 2011; Service Canada contact, September 2, 2011.

New retail outlets: Two new retail outlets are opening at Polo Park Shopping Mall. Michael Hill Jewellers is opening soon and the clothing store, Urban Planet, is set to open in November. Urban Planet is moving into a 22,000 square-foot location, the sixth-largest space in the mall, which has been vacant since the beginning of 2010. While the exact number of jobs created by these new businesses is unknown, they are certain to create a number of opportunities in the retail sector. Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, September 3, 2011.

Sobeys expanding stores: Sobeys will invest more than a million dollars in the expansion of their River Grove and Birds Hill locations in Winnipeg. Construction on the projects should be completed within the next few months, and will likely result in the hiring of at least 10 additional workers at each of the stores. Key Sources: Winnipeg Free Press, September 8, 2011; Service Canada contact, September 8, 2011.

Company doubles staff: Winnipeg-based Magellan Vacations, which offers online luxury hotel booking services, has doubled its staff this year. The company has hired workers in management, marketing, IT services and travel sales consulting positions. Magellan currently employs about 70 people. Key Sources: Winnipeg Free Press, September 10, 2011; Service Canada contact, September 14, 2011.

Local manufacturer plans to hire additional staff: Colour Ad Packaging Ltd., a flexible-packaging manufacturer, is looking to add approximately 150 staff over the next 18 months. The company is in the process of recruiting printing-press operators, material handlers and equipment-maintenance specialists. Colour Ad’s expansion represents good news for an industry that has been hit hard by recent printing-plant closures. Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, September 15, 2011.

Staffing the new airport: Job fairs are being held this month to help staff positions at Winnipeg’s new airport terminal. The Paradise Shops, which will be operating seven retail shops in the new terminal, is looking to hire 50 people for a variety of positions including: stock clerks, warehouse personnel, sales clerks and sales-team leaders. In addition, SSP Canada, the company contracted to manage 10 food and beverage concessions, plans to hire about 160 employees. Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, September 13, 2011.

Winnipeg – North End redevelopment project: A coalition of North End community groups and the University of Winnipeg have purchased the Merchants Hotel and adjoining parking lots. The group plans to convert the hotel into space for education, housing and retail development. Once complete, the development should provide employment opportunities in retail sales and education. Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, September 20, 2011.

Northern Manitoba

Fire destroys retail outlets: Northern Stores locations at Nelson House and Berens River have been destroyed by fire, leaving these First Nations communities without a local source of food and supplies. Although Nelson House has road access to Thompson, the community of Berens River is only accessible by air and winter roads. Northern Stores intends to find work for the 34 full-time staff that have been affected by the closures. In addition, staff will be sent to Nelson House and Berens River to begin planning temporary retail locations. Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, August 31, 2011.

Thompson – tender awarded: Thompson City Council has awarded a $370,000 contract to Maple Leaf Construction Ltd. to reconstruct Ospwagon Drive (West). Work on the roadway, which is already underway, will provide employment opportunities for workers in the paving industry. Key Source:Thompson Citizen, September 7, 2011.

Thompson – new rental housing: Keewatin Housing Association Inc. (KHAI), in conjunction with Manitoba Housing, plans to construct 28 affordable rental housing units in Thompson. Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation will own the lots and KHAI will have the option to purchase in 25 years. Building these rental units will not only provide jobs during the construction phase, but once complete, they will provide a new housing option to low income residents. Key Source: Thompson Citizen, September 7, 2011.

Arborg – Building centre opens: The expanded Arborg Home Hardware Building Centre has opened. As a result of the expansion, the company has hired six new employees, including cashiers, floor salespersons and paint experts. Key Sources: Interlake Spectator, September 15; Service Canada contact with employer, September 19, 2011.

Thompson – Lay offs at shelter: Thompson Homeless Shelter, which is facing a projected funding shortfall of just over $200,000, has been forced to cut its services. Hours of operation have been reduced from 24 hours a day to only 12 hours per day. As a result, the organization will lay off at least six Peer Support Workers, while a vacant Shelter Program Coordinator position will go unfilled. Key Sources: Thompson Citizen, September 14, 2011; Service Canada contact with organization, September 20, 2011.

Swan River – New recreation centre: The Town of Swan River has accepted tenders to construct a new $10 million rececreation centre. Penn-Co Construction will build the Swan Valley Recreation and Wellness Centre, generating 13,000 person-hours of employment for labourers, carpenters, iron workers, plumbers, electricians, painters, drywall and flooring installers. In addition, Acapulco Pools Ltd. will construct the aquatic portion of the centre, creating 6,000 person-hours of employment for plumbers, concrete finishers, rod men, tile finishers and pool mechanics. Key Sources: Swan Valley Star and Times, September 20, 2011; Service Canada contact with organizations, September 21, 2011.

Thompson – Store closure: Staples is closing its Thompson store, effective December 31, 2011. The company is reportedly doing well and did not explain its decision to leave the community. When contacted by Service Canada, the employer indicated that nine Customer Service Representative positions will be terminated as a result of the closure. Key Sources: Thompson Citizen, September 21, 2011; Service Canada contact with employer, September 23, 2011.

Thompson – Recruitment of doctors: A retreat was recently held in Thompson for 71 University of Manitoba family medicine residents and their families. The event, which was hosted by the Office of Rural and Northern Health and the Burntwood Regional Health Authority, featured a job fair that highlighted employment opportunities in the region. Past retreats have helped rural health regions recruit doctors for positions that typically are hard to fill. Key Source: Thompson Citizen, September 28, 2011. 

Southern Manitoba

Telemarketing firm closes in Boissevain: Midwest Telemark was forced to close its doors on August 25 because the business was no longer financially viable. Nine people were laid off as a result of the closure, two of whom were employed on a full-time basis. Midwest has operated in Boissevain since 1996. Key Sources: The Boissevain Recorder, September 2, 2011; Michael Waldron Law Office, September 6, 2011.

Birtle Medical Clinic needs doctors: There is a shortage of physicians in Birtle after the community’s only two doctors relocated to Winnipeg at the beginning of September. Assiniboine Regional Health Authority hopes to replace the doctors by February 2012, but it may prove difficult to recruit new physicians to the rural community. In the meantime, part-time medical services will be offered by doctors from Russell and a nurse practitioner from Rossburn. Key Source: Crossroads This Week, September 9, 2011.

Boissevain – New development projects: There are several new developments underway in downtown Boissevain, including construction of a theatre, a grocery store and a library. In addition, plans are being made for a new recreation centre. While the total job creation is unknown, these construction projects are certain to provide opportunities for local contractors and skilled trades workers. Key Source: The Boissevain Recorder, September 16, 2011.

Brandon – RBC branch expansion: Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is planning a major expansion at its 18th Street branch in Brandon. The new multi-million dollar retail branch will be built adjacent to their current building. Construction of the new facility should be complete by fall 2012, at which time the existing facility will be demolished to make way for a new parking lot. Work on this project will create a number of jobs in the local construction industry. Key Source: Brandon Sun, September 19, 2011.

Selkirk Area

Nil Report.