Metropolitan Outlook 1: Economic Insights into 25 Canadian Metropolitan Economies: Autumn 2003

This publication focuses on the metropolitan economies of Halifax, Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa-Gatineau, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Victoria.

Document Highlights

Fuelled by solid employment and population growth, the services sector is expected to carry Halifax’s economy this year.

The construction sector will fuel Quebec City’s economy, as real gross domestic product (GDP) expands by 2.7 per cent this year.

Growth in real GDP will decelerate to 2 per cent in Montreal in 2003, due to weakness in the manufacturing sector.

Ottawa’s economy is showing renewed vigour in 2003.

This year, Toronto’s economy is expected to expand at its slowest rate since 1996.

Solid growth in both the goods sector and the services sector is expected in Winnipeg.

Regina’s economy will rebound this year, as GDP is forecast to grow by 3.6 per cent.

Increased activity in the oil and gas sector is expected to boost Calgary’s economy.

Edmonton consumers are benefiting from solid income growth.

Strong employment gains are exected in Vancouver this year.

Victoria’s housing market remains robust.