Economic Development in Winnipeg

Winnipeg occupies a dominant position in Manitoba’s economy, with a 64% share of the overall provincial GDP in 2008. Export-based activity is a significant economic driver for the city.

Manitoba as a whole is a diversified exporting province, with the range of exports evenly spread over a broad number of manufacturing and raw materials sectors that include:

Manufactured Goods

• Motor vehicle bodies
• Aerospace products
• Farm implements
• Furniture
• Building products
• Biotechnology

Other significant export products include:

• Nonferrous metals
• Smelting and refining
• Oil and gas extraction
• Agricultural based products
• Electricity

Manitoba merchandise exports to the rest of the world were $12.8 billion in 2008, up 47.7% from the 2000 level of $8.7 billion. Canada’s total merchandise exports during the same time frame increased 18.1%, from $385,678 million in 2000 to $455,365 million in 2008. Between 2007 and 2008, Manitoba’s foreign exports increased by 5.2% while Canada’s foreign exports increased by 8.3%.

Exports to the U.S. grew from $7 billion in 2000 to $8.9 billion in 2008, an increase of 27.2%. Manitoba’s exports to countries other than the U.S. during that same time period went from $1.7 billion to $3.9 billion, an increase of 131.7%. The U.S. percent share of Manitoba exports declined from 80.4% in 2000 to 69.2% in 2008, as the province's trade diversified. Exports to the U.S. for 2008 rose 6.3% from 2007.

There is a relative balance between export and import activity in Manitoba with merchandise imports from other countries growing from $9.4 billion in 2000 to $15.2 billion in 2008, an increase of 60.8%. Between 2007 and 2008, Manitoba’s imports increased by 16.5%, while Canada's foreign imports increased by 6.5%.