Metropolitan Outlook 2A: Economic Insights into 25 Canadian Metropolitan Economies: Spring 2004

This publication focuses on the metropolitan economies of St. John’s, Saint John, Saguenay, Oshawa, Hamilton, Kitchener, and Windsor.

Document Highlights

• A pause in the goods sector will limit overall economic growth in St. John’s this year.
• Fuelled by feverish construction activity, real GDP growth in Saint John is expected to accelerate to 2.9 per cent in 2004.
• Saguenay’s manufacturing sector will endure hard times in 2004, as real output in this sector is forecast to decline by 3.4 per cent.
• After leading the country in growth last year, Oshawa’s economy is projected to slow significantly this year.
• The bankruptcy of Stelco Inc. has darkened Hamilton’s economic outlook.
• Kitchener’s construction industry is not expected to match last year’s record-setting pace, leading to weaker economic growth this year.
• Despite the negative impact of the strong Canadian dollar, Windsor’s economy is still expected to grow by a respectable 2.5 per cent in 2004.