Manitoba Immigration Pilot to Address Rural Labour Needs

November 15, 2024

The Manitoba government is announcing a three-year West-Central Immigration Initiative pilot that would see the government partner with seven rural municipalities and Gambler First Nation to support west-central Manitoba employers in addressing labour market and succession planning needs, enabling economic and community growth, Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino announced today.

“Manitoba is a leader when it comes to enabling growth and vitality of communities through immigration,” said Marcelino. “Our government is proud to partner with rural municipalities through the West-Central Immigration Initiative to help local economies and communities across Manitoba grow and thrive. By working together, we’re responding to the local needs for skilled workers in rural Manitoba and ensuring Manitoba continues to be a welcoming province.”

The West-Central Immigration Initiative partners are:

• Municipality of Russell-Binscarth;
• Rural Municipality of Yellowhead;
• Municipality of Roblin;
• Rural Municipality of Ellice-Archie;
• Rural Municipality of Riding Mountain West;
• Rossburn Municipality;
• Prairie View Municipality; and
• Gambler First Nation.

A survey of 85 employers in the region estimated that 240 to 300 people will be required to meet labour needs within three years due to new jobs created, replacements, retirement and general growth, the minister noted.

“The Municipality of Russell-Binscarth is proud to partner with Gambler First Nation and our neighbouring municipalities to form the West Central Manitoba Immigration initiative,” said Mayor Judy Snitynsky, Russell-Binscarth. “Through this collaborative partnership, we look forward to expanding our immigration networks and showcasing the unlimited potential that we offer for newcomers to this area of Manitoba.”

The provincial immigration division currently has three active and successful regional immigration initiatives in Winkler-Stanley, Morden and the Parkland region, and continues to work with other regional and rural municipalities to develop similar immigration initiatives, noted the minister.

Overall trend analysis shows an increasing number of provincial nominees are choosing to settle in rural communities – 25 per cent in 2023 compared to 16.2 per cent in 2012.

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For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.

NT5