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.
The Statistics Canada information released last week shows Manitoba's population grew by 2,896 people in the third quarter of 2004, Industry, Economic Development and Mines Minister Jim Rondeau said. Net inflow to Manitoba from other provinces and countries during this period accounted for 1,658 people of the overall gain. "These quarterly figures represent the best overall quarterly population gain and the best net in-migration in more than 20 years," said Rondeau. "This continuing trend is good news for Manitoba's economy." According to Statistics Canada, 6,485 more individuals came to Manitoba than left in the last 12 months. This was an improvement in excess of 200 per cent over the previous 12-month period when a net 2,131 people moved to Manitoba. The last 12-month period represented the best net inflow ever to Manitoba. The previous net inflow record was 5,204 individuals in 1982. The last 12-month period also marks the third consecutive year of positive net migration to Manitoba. Rondeau said he was very encouraged that net interprovincial migration levels have improved. The net loss of 882 people in the last 12 months was the lowest level in 21 years. "In the last 12 months, Manitoba had net gain of individuals from six provinces, including Ontario (397), Quebec (221) and Nova Scotia (205). In addition, our net interchange improved with eight of the nine other provinces," said Rondeau. Manitoba's Oct. 1 population was estimated at 1,173,164 people, an increase of 10,161 or 0.9 per cent from the Oct. 1, 2003, level of 1,163,003 people. Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan added that 7,555 international immigrants came to Manitoba in the last year, representing a 31 per cent increase over the 5,763 immigrants who came here the year before. She noted the last time Manitoba had that many immigrants was 25 years ago when the number was 8,016 people. "Our Provincial Nominee Program has been tremendously successful and has resulted in historic growth in our immigration population," said Allan. "We continue to move forward to our goal of 10,000 immigrants by 2006." "The latest statistics represent the people who are contributing to the growth of our population," said Rondeau. "The message is out that Manitoba is an attractive place to live, work, raise a family and invest in the future."
