By the Monster Career Coach
“Go West, young man,” is a phrase attributed to 19th century Indiana journalist John Soule, and it applies today if you’re thinking of a Canadian city that has continued to do well during 2009. Winnipeg, Manitoba, turns out to be outperforming all other major Canadian cities this year in terms of economic performance.
This is due in large part to its diversified base of industries. With a population of 730,000, the city is home to all sorts of employers you might not have even thought about. Did you know, for example, that some of the country’s largest trucking companies are located there? Or that it’s North America’s biggest hub for bus manufacturing?
Movers and Shakers
While overall growth has remained pretty much stable after 2008’s record performance, the city is on track to do better than average in certain sectors. These include the following categories (with some representative employers that you may recognize):
Financial Services – Great West Life, Wawanesa Insurance, IGM Financial Inc.
Transportation – New Flyer Industries, Motor Coach Industries, Reimer Express Lines
Distribution – Air Canada Cargo, Purolator, FedEx, Cargojet, Canadian National Railway, Canadian Pacific Railway
Agri-Business – Cargill Limited, Old Dutch Foods, The Canadian Wheat Board, Monsanto, Buhler Industries Information, Communications
Media – MTS Allstream, EDS Canada, Canwest Global Communications Corp.
Aerospace – Boeing Canada Technology, Bristol Aerospace, Standard Aero
Slower Spots
Given the worldwide slowdown in 2009, it is not surprising that demand for goods produced in, and exported from Winnipeg has decreased somewhat for the time being.
Likewise construction is not as active as it was in the previous year. Despite this, sales of real estate are estimated to be at a record pace.
Signs of Growth
You know a city is on the upswing when it expands its main airport, and that is precisely what is happening in Winnipeg. The James Armstrong Richardson International Airport operates 24/7 and serves over 3.5 million passengers annually. It is Canada’s only major airport between Toronto and Calgary. A brand new terminal is being added for 1010.
There is also a stir of activity in Winnipeg’s academic circles. The city is home to three universities (The University of Winnipeg, University of Manitoba, and Canadian Mennonite University) along with Red River College and some 70,000 students in all. Even during times of private sector slowdown, due to increased enrolment there are more funds available and thus more jobs, at every level from administrative assistants, to finance, marketing communications, human resources and labour specialists, etc.
Outlook
Winnipeg is anticipating an even better year in 2010. When the export market picks up manufacturing should return to previous levels or better. Distribution activity along the CN and CP railway lines is expected to increase, and even more cargo is likely to be processed via the International Airport.
For more information, you can view the
Destination Winnipeg website, which outlines the city’s economic development plans and activities, among other things. You’ll find out why they call Winnipeg “the heart of the continent.”