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.
Industry, Economic Development and Mines Minister Scott Smith has welcomed yesterday's release of Statistics Canada's population numbers that reinforce the trend that Manitoba's population continues to increase. "These numbers reinforce the fact that Manitoba's population continues to grow and expand," said Smith. "We are pleased that 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." According to the federal agency, Manitoba's Oct. 1, 2003 population was 1,164,135, an increase of 6,779 or 0.59 per cent from the Oct. 1, 2002 level. Smith noted that the population increase represents Manitoba's strongest annual growth since October 1986. Statistics Canada also noted that Manitoba recorded a net international migration increase of 3,478 in the first three quarters of 2003, which is the largest gain in the first three quarters of the year since 1980. In addition, Statistics Canada also indicated that there was inflow of 4,727 immigrants to the province compared to 3,617 for the first nine months of 2002. Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allen noted that the numbers reinforce Manitoba's commitment to increase international immigration. "Increasing international immigration to our province is a critical component of our government's economic development strategy," said Allen. "Our Provincial Nominee Program continues to attract more and more people to our province. We are pleased that people from around the world are choosing Manitoba as their home." Allen noted Manitoba leads in Canada with the most successful Provincial Nominee Program. Manitoba's overall immigration level for 2003 is expected to increase by 30 per cent, reaching approximately 6,000 arrivals, the highest in over a decade. Smith noted that overall for the first nine months of 2003, 2,668 more individuals came to Manitoba than left, which is the best performance since 1983.
