Manitoba experiencing population boom

Manitoba's population growth is booming, according to Statistics Canada.

The number of people living in the province jumped by 16,400 between 2008 and 2009, according to a report released by Statistics Canada.

That marks the best population growth rate since 1971, said Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade Minister Peter Bjornson.

The total population in Manitoba now sits at 1,229,000.

"People from around the globe are clearly learning that Manitoba is a great place to live, work and raise a family," Bjornson said.

In the past 10 years, Manitoba has grown by nearly 90,000 people, which is more than double the population increase over the previous decade, he added.

Much of the population increase has been driven by immigration from other countries, due in a large part to the success of Manitoba's Provincial Nominee Program, which helps facilitate newcomers, Bjornson said.

"Our Provincial Nominee Program is ensuring that people from around the world can bring their skills to our great province and make it even better."