September 29, 2004
Third Consecutive Year Of Positive Net Migration Is Manitoba's Best In 21 Years
Third Consecutive Year Of Positive Net Migration Is Manitoba's Best In 21 Years- - -
Minister Predicts Trend Will Continue
The most recent Statistics Canada information shows Manitoba's population grew by 2,766 people in the second quarter of 2004, Industry, Economic Development and Mines Minister Scott Smith said today.
Net inflow to Manitoba from other provinces and countries during this period accounted for 1,822 people of the overall gain.
"These quarterly figures represent the best overall quarterly population gain since the early '80s and the best quarterly net in-migration in three decades," said Smith. "This continuing trend is good news for Manitoba's economy."
According to Statistics Canada, 5,027 more individuals came to Manitoba than left in the last 12 months. That was a 150-per-cent improvement over the previous 12-month period when a net 2,011 persons moved to Manitoba.
The last 12-month period represented the best net inflow since 1983 when the total was 5,953. It is also marks the third consecutive year of positive net migration to Manitoba.
Smith said he was encouraged that net interprovincial migration levels have been improving. The net loss of 2,095 persons in the last twelve months was the lowest level in 18 years.
Manitoba's July 1 population was estimated at 1,170,268, an increase of 8,716 or 0.75 per cent from the July 1, 2003, level of 1,161,552. Smith said he was encouraged to learn that was Manitoba's best absolute and percentage growth since 1986. In the last year, Manitoba had the fourth highest population growth rate among all of the provinces.
Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan added that 7,412 international immigrants came to Manitoba in the last year, representing a 51 per cent increase over the 4,909 immigrants who came here the year before. She noted the last time Manitoba had that many immigrants was 30 years ago when the number was 7,769.
"Our government's policies continue to make Manitoba a very attractive choice for international immigrants," said Allan. "This province's Provincial Nominee Program is proving to be tremendously successful with sixty-three per cent of Canada's provincial nominees choosing Manitoba."
In the last twelve months, provincial nominees totalled 3,688, representing nearly one half of 7,412 immigrants to Manitoba.
"The latest statistics represent the people who are contributing to the growth of our population," said Smith. "Our government's immigration policies are clearly defining Manitoba as an attractive place to live, work, raise a family and invest in the future."
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