The first four months of this year saw a mix of good and bad in Newfoundland and Labrador according to a report by the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council.

All four Atlantic Provinces show gains in employment and non-energy exports.

APEC says Newfoundland and Labrador’s robust export and employment gains in the first quarter of 2019 masked deterioration in household spending and housing starts as the province moves toward economic recovery.

Employment increased in the province by 3% in the first four months of this year with international exports up 10% – both the fastest-growing in Canada according to APEC.

However, housing starts in the first quarter dropped to their lowest level in more than 50 years while the volume of retail sales declined.