|
|
Positive Business ClimateInnovative & Entrepreneurial Spirit Innovative & Entrepreneurial Spirit Employment rose by 11,700, or 2.2%, in 2000. This was below the national employment growth of 2.6%. In 2000, full-time employment increased by 13,000 jobs, or 3.0%, while part-time employment decreased by 1,300, or 1.2%. In 2000, Manitoba had its best job performance since 1986. In the first two months of 2001, employment increased 1.4% below the national average of 1.7%. Full-time employment declined 0.5% while part-time employment increased by 10.0%. The unemployment rate averaged 4.9% in 2000, down significantly from 5.6% in 1999, and below the Canadian average of 6.8%. This is the lowest annual Manitoba unemployment rate since 1976. Manitoba had the lowest unemployment rate among provinces from 1998 to 2000. In 2000, Manitoba also had the lowest youth unemployment rate in the country at 9.3%, down from 10.1% in 1999 and the lowest since 1977 when it was also 9.3%. In the first two months of 2001, the year-to-date unemployment rate was 4.6%, lowest in the country. The youth unemployment rate was 8.4%, also lowest in the country. Manitoba is highly competitive in terms of its wage rate structure. Manitoba's reasonable cost of living is a major factor enabling wages to be so competitive. Fringe benefits vary from company to company, but on average are approximately 25 percent of wages. Fringe benefits include such items as unemployment insurance, workers compensation and pension schemes. It should be noted that health-care costs are covered under provincial medicare and are not part of the fringe benefit package paid directly by Manitoba companies. Average weekly earnings increased 3.3% in 2000, higher than the 2.6% increase for Canada. Infrastructure, Energy & Utilities, and Sustainable Water Resources Manitoba Hydro is a Crown Corporation owned by the Province of Manitoba with a legislated mandate "to provide for the continuance of a supply of power adequate for the needs of the province and to promote economy and efficiency in the generation, distribution, supply and use of power." Manitoba Hydro has over 5000 MW of hydroelectric generating capacity and over $7 billion in assets. It also is the province's major distributor of natural gas, purchasing over 80 per cent of its supplies from Alberta producers. Over 95 per cent of the energy is produced from 12 hydroelectric generating stations. Five stations on the Nelson River in northern Manitoba have a combined capacity of 3850 MW. Other hydroelectric stations are located on the Winnipeg, Saskatchewan and Laurie Rivers. There are also two coal-burning stations and small diesel generating stations in three remote northern communities. The Corporation's four largest hydroelectric generating stations are located on the lower Nelson River and generate 70 per cent of the utility's total energy. The Corporation offers a wide range of energy services either directly, through its subsidiaries, or its strategic partners to domestic customers and to the global marketplace. It serves over 485 000 customers throughout Manitoba. For more information about Manitoba Hydro click here http://www.hydro.mb.ca/ Centra Gas Manitoba Inc. distributes natural gas to more than 243,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers throughout southern Manitoba. Natural gas is the natural choice of most Manitobans with access to natural gas service. For instance, in the City of Winnipeg, 93 per cent of residents are Centra Gas customers. In a climate where temperatures of minus 30 degrees Celsius are not uncommon during the winter, a dependable supply of natural gas is something Manitobans have come to rely on from Centra Gas. We are pleased to have earned this trust. Centra Gas Manitoba Inc. sees itself as more than just a provider of natural gas. Centra employees live and raise families in the same communities they serve. Often our best ideas for improving the quality of life in these communities come from our dedicated and hard-working employees, who themselves are actively involved in community clubs, sports and charitable work Centra Gas Manitoba Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manitoba Hydro We are headquartered in Winnipeg with district offices in Brandon, Portage la Prairie, Selkirk, Steinbach and Winkler. Centra Gas is regulated by the Public Utilities Board of Manitoba. It is the goal of our more than 600 employees to safely provide natural gas and related energy services that our customers value. For a site map of Centra Gas services or for more information about Centra Gas click here http://www.centragas.mb.ca For more details on natural gas in Manitoba visit http://www.centragas.mb.ca/. Manitoba has an abundance of sustainable water resources. Please visit the Manitoba Water Resources web site for more details on the following topics:
Manitoba is home to nine labour congresses and councils, 57 international and national union headquarters and locals, and 45 independent local labour organizations. The following table illustrates union membership in Manitoba. Workers Compensation and Employment Insurance
The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba covers approximately 325,000 Manitoba workers at 22,000 firms. The WCB is a not-for-profit mutual accident and disability insurance agency established by legislation in 1917. It is a partnership between workers and employers and is funded by employer premiums. The WCB's goals are to reduce the risk of workplace injuries and illness, reduce the impact of injuries and illnesses, provide superior service to our clients and have the capacity to continuously improve our service. The WCB has, over recent years, been using an employer's actual claims costs as a part of the calculations used to establish assessment rates. This "experience-based" approach means that the accident record and cost experience of an employer has an impact on the employer's assessment rate. For example, the 12 month period between October 1 and September 30 is used to establish assessment rates for the following year. For more information on Workers Compensation in Manitoba click here. Employment Insurance Costs Employment Insurance Costs paid by both employers and employees as a percentage of total payroll are as follows: Employee 2.25% The Government of Canada reduced Employment Insurance (EI) premium rates by 15 cents for the year 2001. For more information on Employment Insurance click here. Consumer and Corporate Affairs helps Manitobans every day by administering about 30 acts including the Consumer Protection Act, Business Practices Act, Insurance Act and the Residential Tenancies Act. All regulatory activities help to protect consumers and businesses, landlords and tenants. We incorporate and register businesses and charities, and license door-to-door sellers. Businesses benefit too, because the Business Practices Act helps to protect ethical businesses from less fair unethical businesses. The Public Utilities Board, Companies Office, Manitoba Securities Commission, Land Titles and Personal Property Registry are just some of the other branches and agencies. Building a confident consumer force with a range of skills and knowledge is also a top priority. Education and information programs "help people to help themselves." Business Regulations Business regulations help Manitoba citizens by ensuring fair business interests of consumers. We register information about corporations and business names. The public may search the registry to obtain information (for example, who is doing business under the trade name, where the business is located, and to get a list of officers and directors). When individuals want to incorporate or register their trade name, we review the proposed names to make sure that they aren't confusingly similar to ones already on our record. Then our office will incorporate the company or register the business name. Labour Regulations Labour regulations ensure safe, productive and equitable workplaces. Manitoba's labour related legislation is contained in a series of acts and programs such as the Employment Standards Act; Vacations with Pay Act; Payment of Wages Act; Labour Relations Act; Workplace and Safety Act, Workers Compensation; Canada Pension Plan; and Employment Insurance.For more details see Manitoba Trade & Investment Corporation's web site section on Labour Legislation. Land Use Regulations Land use regulations in Manitoba for the most part are administered by municipalities through Planning District Boards or City Planning Departments. Land use regulations designate areas for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, institutional, parks and recreational land uses. The Manitoba Planning Act and City of Winnipeg Act outline legislated processes for dealing with development plan and zoning amendments, as well as subdivision and other related land development processes.Construction in Manitoba is governed by the Manitoba Building Code which ensures the structural adequacy, building and fire safety of buildings. All existing buildings are governed by the Manitoba Fire Code which establishes minimum standards for fire safety. Environmental Regulations Manitoba's environmental regulations ensure a sustainable approach to development. Manitoba Environmental regulations govern discharges to air, water and land which are implemented by the: Environment Act, Water Resources Act, The Dangerous Goods Handling and Transportation Act , and The Public Health Act.
Investment Fuels Global Trade
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
