“Recession? What recession?” asked the headline in yesterday’s Winnipeg Sun.

Under that optimistic banner, the article asserted that the province that “seems to be bucking the recession” is — Manitoba.

Here’s more about Manitoba’s “‘steady-as-she-goes’ incremental growth:”

The province’s unemployment rate in February was at 4.8 per cent — three percentage points below the national numbers and the second-lowest rate in the country, surpassed only by Saskatchewan.

While retail sales fell more than five per cent across Canada in December, they only dropped half a percentage point in Manitoba. And as shops close in other parts of the country, Manitoba is actually seeing new stores move in; from its first sprawling Ikea store which will anchor a $400-million retail development to the opening of its first Sephora beauty store.

The housing market has dipped slightly, but about one-third of Winnipeg’s homes are still selling for at or above asking price.

Because of its “even keel” economy, the Conference Board of Canada recently found Manitoba is one of only four provinces expected to experience economic growth this year. The “momentum” generated in the past few years will carry it forward into 2010, the board said.

Now if only Manitoba could do something about the weather…

Photo by tukanuk (flickr)