Vancouver economy on pace to be fastest growing in Canada

Vancouver is expected to have the fastest-growing metropolitan economy of 2015, according to economists with The Conference Board of Canadabeating out usualleaders Calgary and Edmonton.

The Conference Boardprojectsa total expansionof 3.4 per cent this year for Vancouver, with gains expected in nearly allsectors of the city's economy.

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Their numbers show manufacturing experiencedthe most growthat 8.6 per cent, thanks to amulti-billion dollar contract to build non-combatships for the federal government at Seaspan's North Vancouver site. The service industry also saw strong gains.

Despite development projectsdotting the downtown core,construction outputis actually projectedto dip compared to last year, although the Conference Board's economists expect that decline to be short-lived.

Toronto and Winnipeg round out the top three growers.Calgary and Edmontonbothlong-standingeconomic leaderssaw their economies shrinkthis yearwith adive in oil prices.

Vancouvershouldcontinue its growth into next year. The Conference Board expectsa3.6 per cent expansion in 2016.