Good news for job-hunters, business owners, and investors in Canada:

The economies of all Canada’s major cities are expected to grow in 2010, according to a new report from the Conference Board of Canada.

This report, Metropolitan Outlook – Spring 2010, found that the city getting the biggest economic boost is Vancouver, thanks to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

Vancouver’s economy is forecast to lead all Canadian cities this year, with growth of 4 percent.

“The Olympics Games provided a big, even if temporary, boost to retail trade, arts, entertainment and recreation, accommodation, and food services in Vancouver. All in all, the Olympics injected about $600 million into the Vancouver economy,” Mario Lefebvre, Director of the Conference Board’s Centre for Municipal Studies, said in announcing the report.

The economies of Toronto and Hamilton (Ontario) are expected to post the second and third fastest growth rates in 2010.

In Toronto, where the economy is expected to grow by 3.7 percent, the manufacturing sector is forecast to record its first annual increase since 2005, while the construction sector will benefit from a rebound in housing starts, particularly single-family units.

In Hamilton, most sectors of the economy are expected to grow, which will contribute to the forecast 3.3 percent growth rate. Hamilton’s manufacturing sector projected to expand for the first time since 2002.

The Conference Board report forecast the following economic growth rates for these 13 metropolitan areas:

• Vancouver, BC: 4.0%
• Toronto, ON: 3.7%
• Hamilton, ON: 3.3%
• Victoria, BC: 3.2%
• Edmonton, AB 2.9%
• Saskatoon, SK 2.8%
• Ottawa–Gatineau, ON/QC: 2.8%
• Calgary, AB: 2.8%
• Halifax, NS: 2.5%
• Quebec City, QC: 2.5%
• Montreal, QC: 2.3%
• Winnipeg. MB: 2.2%
• Regina, SK: 2.0%

You can read a summary of the Conference Board report here or download the full report here.

Vancouver skyline photo ©Carolyn B. Heller