After claiming dozens of Manitoban lives, the fall surge of COVID-19 cases is now expected to hammer the provincial economy hard enough to delay a recovery until 2022. "Given the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the province, we expect Manitoba's recovery to full economic health to be delayed until 2022," the board says in a provincial economic outlook slated for publication next week. In 2021, Manitoba's economy is expected to grow by 3.5 per cent, more than two points below the national rebound of 5.6 per cent. The Conference Board says Manitoba's economy outperformed Canada overall this year in employment and sales, though housing starts were below national average. Fielding's office said a survey of economic forecasts suggests the provincial economy could decline anywhere from 3.1 to 6.3 per cent this year.

Source: CBC News November 18, 2020 16:55 UTC