WINNIPEG – Manitoba’s population is growing at a record rate.
Statistics Canada says over a 12-month period, our population grew by almost 19,432 people. Only Alberta had a higher growth rate.
Manitoba’s population on April 1st was estimated at 1,308,912 people.
Our chief statistician Wilf Falk says part of the reason is more people coming here from other countries.
“We’re seeing an increased level of non-permanent residents. Those are foreign workers and international students,” he said.
But Falk also says fewer people are leaving here for other provinces.
“And I think to some degree, although we don’t have firm information, there’s also reverse migration coming. People are coming back to Manitoba from Alberta and Saskatchewan, as an example,” he said.
We also welcomed more babies than we have in the last 24 years.
Falk says part of the reason is immigrants who have come from countries with higher fertility rates.