Every so often, it’s beneficial to look at the economic landscape of the city to see where we are and how we can grow. That’s why Economic Development Winnipeg is sponsoring a new survey initiative with Probe Research.
The first edition of Winnipeg Economic Perspectives, which was recently featured in the Winnipeg Free Press, found nearly seven out of 10 Winnipeg adults are optimistic about the economic future of their city.
The Probe Research Omnibus Survey is the province’s largest and most trusted general population survey. Between September 17 and 26, 2019, it surveyed a random and representative sampling of 600 adults who live in Winnipeg.
Some highlights:
- An overwhelming majority of Winnipeg's full and part-time workers (81 per cent) are satisfied with their jobs
- Six-in-10 respondents are confident of their near-term job security and are not concerned they or anyone in their household will lose their job, or experience an unwanted reduction in working hours, during the next six months
- One-half of Winnipeggers report no change in their household’s financial status over the past year and the proportion of those who report improved financial fortunes was nearly equally countered by those reporting financial declines
- Looking ahead to the next year, most residents anticipate a financial status quo, although almost three-in-ten predict they will experience financial gains in the coming 12 months. This bullish outlook was most apparent among younger and higher-income respondents
The optimistic outlook among younger Winnipeggers stands out for EDW President & CEO Dayna Spiring.
“When I look at that, I think about the diversity of this economy,” says Spiring. “I think about the way young people are finding new careers. You look at our tech industry, there have been new opportunities for people to really specialize in areas that interest them. People are finding roles in this city that they’re comfortable with, that they’re happy with, that they’re satisfied with. Those are all good things.”
Surveys like these paint a realistic picture of resident satisfaction, good and bad. And they provide strategic insights to organizations like EDW that are mandated to promote Winnipeg to businesses, talent, investment and visitors.
“We’re constantly benchmarking ourselves against all the major cities in Canada, for business and capital investment and talent increasingly,” explains Spiring. “So we’re going to do that and this is step one for us to understand how everyone is feeling and what the state of the union is.”
EDW and Probe will provide periodic updates in regards to the local economy and public sentiments on public and personal finances in the coming months and years through the new Winnipeg Economic Perspectives initiative. We’ll will be tracking numbers going forward to look for trends and opportunities to grow.