The economy across Canada has been picking up speed, and that is expected to carry through into 2016, according to The Conference Board of Canada’s Provincial Outlook: Autumn 2015. British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario will be the growth leaders in 2016, according to the report, with the British Columbia economy leading the country by a wide margin over the near term.

Alberta and Saskatchewan will continue to feel the pain from the difficulties in the energy sector; however, neither will be in recession in 2016.

Forecasts by province:

British Columbia: The only province expected to post more than 3% growth over the next two years, real GDP in the province is forecast to grow 3.1% this year and 3.6% in 2016.

“The bright outlook for the province is largely thanks to the construction industry,” said Marie-Christine Bernard, associate director, Provincial Forecast. “A major investment in a LNG project could get underway if all conditions are met. This would be a game changer for the province, providing a considerable boost to the economy.”

Quebec: Real GDP growth is expected to reach 2.1% in 2016 and 2.0% in 2017.

Manitoba: Real GDP growth of 2.5% in 2016 and 3.0 % in 2017 is expected. Employment is expected to rise 1.3% in 2016 and 1.8% in 2017.

“Manitoba will be one of the country’s strongest economic performers in 2016, thanks to healthy growth across key sectors, such as construction, manufacturing and service industries,” Bernard said.

Atlantic Canada: The forecast for Atlantic Canada is mixed in 2016. Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy is set to contract again, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick are expected to see modest growth, while the outlook in Nova Scotia is more favorable.

“There is a wide divergence among the Atlantic provinces’ economic performances next year,” said Bernard. “The slump in oil prices pulled Newfoundland and Labrador into recession this year and the outlook remains weak for the next two years. Meanwhile, Nova Scotia’s economy is benefiting from offshore exploration activities and work is getting underway at the Halifax shipyard on the combat ships for the Canadian navy.”

• Nova Scotia’s real GDP is expected to rise 1.8% in 2015, 2.3% in 2016 and 1.7% in 2017.
• New Brunswick’s real GDP is poised to advance by 1.7% in 2015 and 1.6% in 2016 before picking up speed in 2017.
• In Newfoundland and Labrador, real GDP growth will remain flat over the next two years, contracting by 0.8% in 2016 and expanding by 0.2% in 2017.
• Prince Edward Island’s economy will buck the national trend and see a slowdown in growth in 2016, with real GDP edging up 1.6%; however, stronger growth is expected in 2017.

Ontario: Real GDP is expected to rise 2.3% in 2016 and 2.1% in 2017.

Saskatchewan: Real GDP is expected to contract by 1.1% this year before advancing by 2.0% in 2016.

Alberta: Following a drop of 1.2% this year, real GDP growth of 1.2% is forecast for the province in 2016.