Manitoba saw the nation’s second-strongest population growth of any province over the last year, according to population and third-quarter 2015 migration estimates released by Statistics Canada.
As of Oct. 1, Statistics Canada estimated Manitoba’s population at 1,298,591, an annual increase of 13,992, or 1.09 per cent. Manitoba was tied with Saskatchewan for the second highest 12-month growth rate behind Alberta.
The Canada-wide average increase was 0.85 per cent over the same period.
“This population growth over the last 12 months is the fifth largest on record for our province,” said Labour and Immigration Minister Erna Braun. “These numbers show there’s never been a better time to live in Manitoba.”
This marks the seventh straight year Manitoba’s population growth rate has been higher than one per cent and means Manitoba’s population has grown by an estimated 60,384 over the last four years, according to Statistics Canada.
The numbers also show Manitobans gave birth to 16,597 babies between September 2014 and October 2015, the highest number of births over that time period in 22 years.
“We’ve worked hard to build infrastructure, keep utility rates low and create good jobs for Manitobans,” said Minister Braun. “Our growing population is evidence that our hard work is paying off.”
