Saskatchewan-Manitoba

Winnipeg Jets fans have already supported their team through sales of tickets and jerseys, and soon they'll be able to increase their financial contribution through slot machines, poker and blackjack.

Manitoba's unemployment rate is down to 5 per cent, matching a record low set last September, says Statistics Canada, while wages also increased in January. The average weekly wage in Manitoba was $873, up from $781 in December.

"Cows were grazing here three years ago," marvelled commercial agent Eugene Hritzuk of ICR Commercial Real Estate of Saskatoon as he watched Black Iron take shape.

Of course, free time is at a premium when you're busy running one of Manitoba's fastest-growing cities. The biggest project on the docket is a new active-living centre, which will feature a 96-suite seniors' apartment complex.

"We have great potential for both oil and gas," said Gary Vidal, an accountant and mayor of Meadow Lake. "Some say we could be the next Fort McMurray.

When Calgary-based Cenovus Energy Inc. snapped up junior Oilsands Quest for $10 million last year, it renewed rumours across northern Saskatchewan that Meadow Lake, pop 5,100, is on the cusp of becoming the next big western resource play.

Winnipeg is ranked among the top eight Canadian cities to watch for real estate investing in 2013, according to a global study by the U.S.-based Urban Land Institute (ULI).

Five years ago most folks didn't set foot in Winnipeg's Central Park unless they were buying or selling drugs. But since a recent $5.

It's been a bad year to be a fan of independent restaurants in Winnipeg. Last January Alycia's, a Ukrainian perogy house that was actor John Candy's favourite restaurant, shut its doors.

In arguably the most anticipated retail opening in the city's history, IKEA finally christened a nearly 400,000-square-foot store on Kenaston Blvd. in south Winnipeg late last year.