The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Manitoba's population grew by 2,405 people in the first three months of 2004 according to the most recent Statistics Canada information, Industry, Economic Development and Mines Minister Scott Smith has announced. "The quarterly in-migration numbers represent the highest inflow in more than three decades," said Smith. "These numbers are very encouraging for Manitoba's future economic development." Net inflow to Manitoba from other provinces and countries contributed 1,730 people to this population growth. Smith noted that the quarterly population gain was Manitoba's best since the mid-eighties. He said he was also encouraged that net inter-provincial migration shows continued signs of strength. Manitoba gained a net total of 172 persons from other provinces in the first three months of 2004, including a gain of 167 persons from Alberta and 98 from Ontario. See 'Migration' P.# Con't from P.# The net gain of 172 compares to a net loss of 263 in the first quarter of 2003. Net inter-provincial migration levels over the last two years have been the best in 18 years. According to Statistics Canada, 4,761 more individuals came to Manitoba than left in the last 12 months. This is nearly a 72 per cent improvement over the previous 12-month period when a net 2,777 people moved to Manitoba. The last 12-month period represented the best net inflow since 1983 when it was 5,807. Manitoba's April 1, 2004, population was estimated at 1,168,349, an increase of 8,432 from the April 1, 2003, level of 1,159,917. Smith said he was encouraged that the population has grown by 8,432 persons in the last 12 months. This increase was Manitoba's best absolute and percentage growth since 1986. In the last 12 months, Manitoba had the fourth highest population growth rate among the provinces. Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan observed that Manitoba welcomed 6,985 international immigrants in the last 12 months, representing a 50.7 per cent increase over the 4,635 immigrants who located in Manitoba in the previous 12 months. The last time Manitoba had this volume of immigrants was 23 years ago when 7,269 individuals came to the province. "Our government continues to make Manitoba the number one choice for international immigrants," said Allan. "Our government's Provincial Nominee Program is tremendously successful in attracting people to the province with 70 per cent of provincial nominees coming to Canada choosing Manitoba." In the first three months of 2004, provincial nominees represented nearly one half of 1,542 immigrants to Manitoba. "These numbers reinforce our efforts to grow our population," said Smith. "Our government will continue to strive to make Manitoba an attractive place to live, work, raise a family and invest."
