New census information released today by Statistics Canada shows Manitoba’s population growth between 2006 and 2011 increased by more than double that of the previous five-year period. This announcement was made by Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade Minister Peter Bjornson.
“This kind of growth hasn’t been seen since 1961,” said Bjornson. “More and more people are making our growing province their home.”
Highlights include:
• Manitoba’s population reached 1,208,268 people in May 2011, an increase of 5.2 per cent from 2006. Manitoba ranked fifth in population growth compared with other provinces.
• Growth between 2006 and 2011 of 5.2 per cent was more than twice the growth of 2.6 per cent between 2001 and 2006. The 5.2 per cent growth during the last five years was the fastest growth since 1961.
• Manitoba’s growth of 5.2 per cent includes 5.2 per cent growth in cities, 6.4 per cent in towns, 4.1 per cent in villages, 4.1 per cent in rural municipalities and 11.6 per cent in First Nation communities.
• Steinbach was the fastest-growing city in Manitoba with a growth rate of 22.2 per cent and a 2011 population of 13,524. Winkler increased its population by 17.2 per cent to 10,670.
• The population of Winnipeg was 663,617 in 2011, an increase of 4.8 per cent.
“Manitoba’s provincial nominee program has been tremendously successful in attracting skilled professionals who have settled in communities across the province,” said Bjornson. “Today, these new Manitobans are investing in our economy and helping build a strong future for our province.”
Since 1999, more than 70,000 new immigrants have settled in Manitoba through the Provincial Nominee Program, with approximately 12,000 new immigrants moving to Manitoba through the program in 2011, Bjornson said.
The minister thanked Manitobans for completing their 2011 census forms, adding Census information is used by businesses, governments, community groups and the general public for years to come. It is also used by governments to transfer funds to other levels of government.
