Immigrants drive up Manitoba's population

September 29, 2009
MANITOBA RECORD-BREAKING POPULATION GROWTH BEST IN AT LEAST 38 YEARS– – –Provincial Nominee Program, Immigration Driving Growth: Allan
Manitoba’s population grew by nearly 16,000 people during the last 12 months, Competitiveness, Training and Trade Minister Nancy Allan announced today.

Driving this record-breaking growth were people moving to Manitoba from other jurisdictions, the minister said. Manitoba reported a net gain of 10,562 individuals coming to Manitoba from other regions of Canada and around the world, which is a 38-year high net gain.

“We are proud that so many people from other provinces and countries have chosen Manitoba to be their new home,” Allan said. “They have come here because this province offers so much potential for individuals and families to find meaningful jobs, grow their businesses and raise children with real hope for a rewarding future.”

According to Statistics Canada data released today, Manitoba’s population stood at 1,222,000 as of July 1. This is 15,864 more people since July 1, 2008, for an increase of 1.32 per cent, which is well above Canada’s growth rate of 1.24 per cent.

“In fact, the growth of Manitoba’s population since 1999 has been quite remarkable,” the minister said. “In the last 10 years, Manitoba’s population has increased by nearly 80,000. This growth was more than double the increase of the previous 10-year period.”

Much of the growth during the last several years can be attributed to the success of the Provincial Nominee Program, Allan said. This program has resulted in historic growth in Manitoba’s immigration population. Of the more than 13,000 individuals who arrived in Manitoba during the last 12 months, three-quarters were provincial nominees.