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Manitoba, Canada Posts Largest Annual Population Growth In 17 Years

Manitoba has posted its largest annual population growth since 1986, according to the most recent population numbers, released in September by the federal agency Statistics Canada.

According to the federal agency, Manitoba's July 1, 2003, population was 1,162,776, an increase of 7,284 or 0.63% from the revised July 1, 2002 level. This represents Manitoba's strongest annual growth since July 1986 and the fourth-best performance of any province after Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.

"The population numbers released by Statistics Canada are encouraging and indicate that Manitoba continues to make progress in attracting people to our province," says Manitoba, Canada's Industry, Trade and Mines Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk. "Our government's strategy of investing in education and training, promoting a knowledge-based economy, providing meaningful tax relief, and making Manitoba an affordable place to live appears to be paying off."

Mihychuk notes that along with Manitoba, Ontario was the only other province to have an upward revision to its population level from previously published levels. Canada's overall population is now 15,800 lower than previously estimated for April 2003, while Manitoba's population has increased by 7,200.

Labour and Immigration Minister Steve Ashton notes that there was a large increase in net international migration with Manitoba recording a gain of 2,272 in the first half of 2003, the largest first-half gain since 1990.

"We are extremely pleased that more people from around the world are choosing to make Manitoba their home," says Ashton. "Manitoba's Provincial Nominee Program is helping to drive this growth. The program has recently been expanded to 1,500 individuals a year, up from under 500 in 1999."

"We welcome the fact that more people are looking at Manitoba as an attractive place to live, work and raise a family, " adds Mihychuk.