“Рецессия? What recession?” asked the headline in yesterday’s Виннипег ВС.

Under that optimistic banner, the article asserted that the province that “seems to be bucking the recession” является — Манитоба.

Here’s more about Manitoba’s “‘steady-as-she-goes’ incremental growth:”

The province’s unemployment rate в феврале был в 4.8 процентов — three percentage points below the national numbers and the second-lowest rate in the country, surpassed only by Saskatchewan.

В то время как розничные продажи упали более чем на пять процентов по всей Канаде в декабре, they only dropped half a percentage point in Manitoba. And as shops close in other parts of the country, Manitoba is actually seeing new stores move in; from its first sprawling Ikea store which will anchor a $400-million retail development to the opening of its first Sephora красота магазин.

The housing market has dipped slightly, но about one-third of Дома Виннипега are still selling for at or above asking price.

Because of its “even keel” economy, Conference Board Канады недавно нашел Манитоба one of only four provinces expected to experience economic growth this year. The “momentum” generated in the past few years will carry it forward into 2010, the board said.

Now if only Manitoba could do something about the погода…

Фото tukanuk (Flickr)