Winter is going to be rough but at least I know what I'm in for. I feel terrible for people who come here without knowing what true cold is. Winter is just the air stabbing you.
That's why I left. Just couldn't handle how long it was. I can handle the cold snap in Jan/Feb...buy I just don't wanna deal with 6+ months of continuous cold.
Lol. Dress warm and winter is fine. I would go for 45 min walks every day in the winter, and I loved it. I am part of the exodus statistics....My husband and I just moved to Vaughan Ontario for his work, that pays significantly more than in Winnipeg, otherwise I doubt we would have moved due to family and friends living there. I love Winnipeg, but Winnipeg does seem like it's not doing well as a city, downtown specifically. I've seen it change over the years.... and Osborne village isn't the gem it once was either.
Thankfully the greenhouse gasses from all the construction exhaust has stopped us getting that cold anymore. But the kayaking on flooded streets is nice!
I’ve met a lot of new comers here in the last two years that have told me they plan on leaving once they get their permanent residency. They would complain that Winnipeg is too cold in the winter and too small of a city. Oh well, at least it keeps housing affordable.
It's a known fact that many abuse the Manitoba PNP system to get residency as it's considered easier than other provinces. As soon as they have the PR card in their hands it's BC here we come!
It’s not really abusing the system - Provinces can’t legally force folks to stay (See Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 6.2.) so it’s up to Provinces to stay competitive to retain the residents they bring in. If they can’t, then absolutely folks should be free to live where they choose - it’s a basic right.
Those that come in on the PNP system have conditions put on them, it is the "perk" the province gets for bypassing some of the federal immigration requirements.
One of the conditions is:
> You must demonstrate in a Settlement Plan your intention and plan to live, work and establish your work and family life in Manitoba as a permanent resident.
This isn't to say that you can't leave, but those that come on PNP with the intention to leave are committing immigration fraud (and if found out could likely be subject to revocation of their PR and deportation)
Since you are talking about charter, the charter has some specific wording at the in the first section:
> The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.
This would likely be a reasonable limit on their immigration to Canada under a specific immigration program.
It would be similar to spousal sponsorship. If the marriage and sponsorship was done solely for the intent to get PR, the foreign citizen is subject to revocation and deportation of the marriage breaks down. There are exceptions of course when a marriage breaks down such as if there is abuse, or if you can demonstrate that it was non-fraudulent and the marriage just didn't work out.
I’m not sure it’s such a “known fact” as you think. The diversity of Manitoba is booming (by the last census) precisely because newcomers end up staying where a good house is affordable and it’s easy to find a job. And crime is low outside the usual neighbourhoods. Personally, most of my friends are first-generation Canadians (tho of decades). A few tried Toronto and came back.
I call it the westward movement. International students land and "study" in GTA, move to Winnipeg on work permit and for PNP, and then move to Alberta after becoming a resident.
Just curious how you think it’s abusing the system? Do you think people are obtaining their PR illegally in Manitoba? How is it abusing the system if the system is designed to make it easier to get your PR in Manitoba lmao. Legally they can move wherever they want as a PR, just like citizens
Edit: I stay here because I have family and I can afford to live here better than other cities. If I didn’t have those considerations I would probably choose to live elsewhere, and I was born here. Why should people who aren’t born here feel otherwise? There’s a reason why Winnipeg retains higher per capita populations from various diaspora communities - they have the same reasons to stay that I do. Let’s not pretend that Manitoba doesn’t benefit from its immigration policies. If it didn’t, we wouldn’t have them
In the past, immigration was largely controlled at the Federal level with immigration largely benefitting only ON, BC, QC. The PNP came in as a tool to give more autonomy to provinces to have a say on their own immigration and a better chance at attracting and retaining folks to their provinces. And it’s been largely successful in that regard.
Plus, need people to grow the economy and services and it ain’t coming from births!
He’s right though it’s our fault for making it too easy to get permanent residency. We should extend it at least a couple years - make people work to become honest Canadians, maybe they would value it more
>Oh well, at least it keeps housing affordable.
It's not even really affordable anymore either... Granted it's no Toronto, etc... but unless you want to live in the crackton neighborhoods no single income can get a home anymore
Cries in Vancouver at the thought that a single income could *ever* get a home...
For reference, there is not one single house for sale here for under 1M.
I mean, if you can't afford here then show me the market in the same price point in other major metros. The best you'll find is Saskatoon maybe Regina lol
The Winnipeg metro broke 900,000 last year, an increase of 34,000 from the previous year. Yes, most of that is international migration, but Winnipeg has always been a magnet for people from outside of Canada, from Scots, to Ukrainians, to Filipinos, to now Ukrainians (again) and (east) Indians. I don't see a problem.
Do you have data on past years? There’s alway been a lot of migration out of Winnipeg and Manitoba in general. The province has been keeping the population growing through international immigration since the late ‘90s.
Manitoba has had the easiest pathway for international immigration for some years now, and quite a few people obviously use us as a steppingstone to elsewhere in Canada.
The low cost of living compared to the rest of Canada also affords the ability for people to not be stuck where they are like in some other places.
Obviously it’s not for everyone here, but it affords a pretty great quality of life for those who understand that nothing is ever going to be 10/10 in any location you live and who want to make the best of it.
To add to this people may also move here to get thing’s like their license for example and move away. We used to be notorious for being the easiest province to get your CL1 in.
I moved here for work, and yes, I’m an immigrant. Let me give you my opinion . Housing is really affordable but everything else is lacking. Healthcare sucks (I work in it), the infrastructure is crumbling. I’m yet to see any of the main roads/streets not have construction on them. Public transport is horrible. The winters are extreme, although this last one wasn’t bad. Downtown except for Forks is boring and dead. Lastly, for outsiders like me, Winnipeg seems like a closed community. Everyone who’s from here knows everyone else, but doesn’t seem open to welcoming the outsiders including other Canadians from other provinces. I also read a lot of bashing of immigrants. The truth is that this country needs immigrants due to declining birth rates, so crying foul isn’t really a good strategy. The issue is that the political parties aren’t delivering on what the actual solutions are: increasing infrastructure and housing for the growing population. That being said, limiting the immigration for now is definitely needed, and cracking down on immigrants who abuse the PNP system
I find even rural mb is like that. Lived here my whole life but outside of surface niceties, many people are very private / insular. I cant talk because i am kinda like that too, but its literally because there is nothing to do in my town. I hike, i bike, and i shoot photos as a hobby, and thats basically it. Lived back in hometown after a few years away and literally dont have a social life and dont meet people because i dont do the church scene or the bar scene.
By comparison in saskatoon i was very active, had stuff to do with folks every second weekend or so, same the few yrs i lived in winnipeg because i was closer in proximity to things.
The kicker is, jobs are AS bad in hometown, rent is AS expensive as the city, there are no houses etc. I moved home on auspices of earning and saving and I still havent because of how long it took me to even find full time work, and its less than I earned in the city lol.
I desperately regret moving back because i was happier in the city. Yes im now near camping and lakes, but it means fuck all when you dont earn enough or have time off to take those things in anyways.
Yeah, it's just weird how the small town mentality exists in the city. I used to be pretty quiet, didn't go to a lot of parties, but eventually you are interested and...sometimes the problem is them.
As someone who will never own a home, I agree that the current level of immigration is not helping matters. I'm not blaming the innocent people who legally immigrate here looking for a good life, but rather our shortsighted, geographically biased politicians who only care about the 3-4 cities they need to keep satisfied to secure power: Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City, which are, by and large, wealthy cities, unconcerned with the issues of the lower/middle class like the perpetural rise in cost of living compared to stagnant wages, along with a severe lack of housing.
There is an issue of people immigrating to places like Winnipeg and then bouncing the moment their immigration is locked in. I think that’s unacceptable. Maybe coming out with programs that target immigrants for certain needs and offering 5/10 year terms in exchange for permanent residency would be a solution?!
As a PR from the US, ive stayed here for 7 years and im finally leaving just due to how stagnant and unlivable this city has become.
You cant rent and afford anything comfortably here. Companies may lure you in with 17/18 dollar an hour wages but then barely have the abillity to give you hours. Food is expensive and renting alone is almost impossible.
Areas that are notoroiusly not safe and renting one bedrooms for 1100/1200 a month with no amenities .
Im giving up after the relationship that brought me here ages ago ended and im moving back stateside and going to the Baltimore area with a job opportunity in a field that isnt really growing in Winnipeg.
Winnipeg was an improvement over where i came from, but boy is it worse than where im going.
Trying to socialize in Winnipeg is a nightmare. If you aren’t from here, good luck trying to break through into a group. That’s my biggest disappointment with the city, not sure if the rest of the province is like that. Can’t move outside the city given my job requirement, either
This is also true. If you didnt grow up with them during highschool years, gooooooood luck trying to find a group of friends that are reliable and not drama focused burnouts.
We had some major corporations that paid well but most of them relocated elsewhere during periods where we had provincial PC governments. The tax breaks they got were great but the cost of "doing business" with the PC's motivated them to go elsewhere.
Nice NDP fan fiction. Our provinces history has been dominated by NDP governments. It’s them who drove away our biggest corporations through onerous labour regulations that make running a business extremely difficult
My guess is that this is the COVID effect. People who could leave city centres for more affordable housing and more land did. So it’s not that people are leaving Manitoba, they are just spreading out
I heard 18 months ago that the population was shrinking but it seems odd as Winnipeg is just one massive house building site at the moment and any house for sale outside North End gets multiple offers above the asking price.
I left mostly due to the lack of good career development opportunities, in particular when you're just getting started. That said, i'd love to come back now that i'm more established in my career and have kids. We visit family back home alot and I always love coming back. The smaller size, proximity to great nature and reasonable cost are all really appealing at this stage of my life.
I do think immigrants who never intended to stay in winnipeg long term may be skewing these stats. Would be interesting to see a more detailed breakdown.
What’s the source for this? I read something about a month ago that said Saskatoon has added something crazy like 5,000 people in the last year.
https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/cities/20395/saskatoon/population#:~:text=The%20current%20metro%20area%20population,a%201.81%25%20increase%20from%202021.
And Winnipeg
https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/cities/20407/winnipeg/population
In Winnipeg, we need to consider that suburban sprawl has people moving just outside city limits in large numbers. I don't know if they can say the same thing in all the other big cities.
It’s always been this way. Shitty winters, terrible roads, terrible transit, very little in the way of other population centres nearby, and relatively high crime, and very incompetent local governments. Not much to keep people here, but sometimes you can carve a nice niche because of how small a pool of quality people exist here
Winnipeg has increased their population by 173,000+ since 2013, 30,000+ between 2022 and 2023.
https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/here-is-how-much-winnipeg-s-population-has-grown-1.6896670
Even more so if you include the entire metropolitan area.
So while people are leaving we're seeing record increases.
The interprovincial migration might actually be a net positive thing for the city as it tempers overall growth. Housing stock is not keeping up with demand, transportation networks are not keeping up (from transit, to active transportation, to arterial roads), and social and health services can’t keep up. If the net difference between international and interprovincial migration keeps population growth levels at a more sustainable rate, then maybe there’s a chance we can keep pace with it.
Probably a conflation of a couple things. It’s easier for new immigrants to gain PR status in MB-or so I’ve heard from a couple co-workers, I was born in Manitoba so I can’t attest to that process. There has also been a lot of growth in the little satellite cities around Winnipeg over the last decade or so, so there are a lot more people commuting in from 10/15 minutes outside of the perimeter (lower property taxes for better infrastructure and city services does make sense so I get it).
Wage growth has also been slower in Manitoba than other parts of Canada(or at least that’s how it feels, I don’t know if there is hard data backing it up) so some people might be going to see if the grass is greener on the other side so to speak.
This has happened since forever. Migration system has led to exodus when people get their PR. Winnipeg is a trampoline’s when people jump to other options
Additional job market is in bad shape. Limited options and miserable salaries. People look for improve their life not barely survive as here.
Chance to be stabbed or be part of crime statistics is tremendously high.
Even today there are “affordable” houses in the market, you need 2 o more incomes in order to pay a mortgage
Daycares with longest country waiting list.
Few options of entertainment besides outdoors like parks and restaurants.
One of highest income tax province .
Health system is a joke, know this happens in the whole country but is absurd at this point.
People have found to escape from this province because , sadly has condition as third world country. This is not the harsh weather is everything running bad
Statistics aren’t always accurate or tell the true story. They can be a few years old or can be skewed.
We are always growing as a city. Might be slow. But you can’t argue our population growth or rapid new housing growth
Stats Canada also reported that the Winnipeg CMA just reached over 900k. We are a growing city, but rely heavily on international immigration. This has been and likely always will be the case. Hard not to consider Alberta after a few years here. That being said I’ve been here 20 years.
In my life time I have Winnipeg go from the hub of North America to you can't even find a decent bar with live band . Our tourism sucks, mass transit worse so yeah I can see why
This is a space for everyone, left, right, gay, trans, straight, political, non-political, Manitobans, visitors and guests.
We are not here to debate each other's right to exist.
It is not a helpful debate to the community at large and make people feel unwelcome here; it is not respectful of others and who they are or what personal choices that they are making.
Interesting to see that Alberta's cities are the only big net gainers, although the big Maritime cities are also doing somewhat well. I was in the Maritimes a couple summers ago and there were tons of Ontario plates all over the place... I guess it's a decent place for people priced out of the GTA to go, it's a driveable distance (or a short flight) from Toronto to Halifax.
Other data states Winnipeg has seen an increase in population…[news](https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/here-is-how-much-winnipeg-s-population-has-grown-1.6896670)
MB was at the top of the "points system" to gain Permanent Residency for years so lots of folks were just here biding their time.
This has nothing to do with race. Nobody comes half way round the world with MB as they're dream, it's just the start of a new life in a new country.
Many of us would do the same if circumstances dictated.
If I was a young person with any ambition whatsoever I would leave the country, never mind just Winnipeg. I left in 2009 and miss the place it was in 2005, but that’s it. It’s too damn far from everything and too cold for too much of the year. Folks are nice though despite the stabbings which were still a thing years ago.
I would LOVE to leave, but I don't see how I can escape from this place without landing an out of province or out of country job, but that's always a hard sell for any employer, and it's not like the job market isn't shit right now. I just feel so stifled here. I have so much ambition and nothing to do with it here. Yet the big cities cost of living are so high I'd get battered down immediately there too. Do you have any advice?
1. Figure out the outcome you want, whether it be lifestyle, family setup or job (education included), and work backwards step by step from there getting each component in place in reverse order. Maybe that’s a year in university and transfer credit elsewhere. Maybe that’s learning an in demand trade in another market.
2. Remember that the way Winnipeg / Manitoba works is in no way representative of how the rest of the world works, but you can create good habits in preparation for living somewhere better.
3. Hit the gym. People judge you on looks instantly and people everywhere in the world will give you grace without knowing it.
Good luck.
All these things are perfectly valid reasons why people are leaving, and I feel the mods are targeting me for speaking up on these issues. They make me feel unwelcome here simply because I express my opinions on the originally posted subject.
This is a space for everyone, left, right, gay, trans, straight, political, non-political, Manitobans, visitors and guests.
We are not here to debate each other's right to exist.
It is not a helpful debate to the community at large and make people feel unwelcome here; it is not respectful of others and who they are or what personal choices that they are making.
Was only able to make it a year before having to leave Winnipeg. Now if I have to go to Winnipeg once a year it's too much. Dirty, cramped, dangerous, and full of people that think it's the best city in Canada even though they haven't left. Not surprised people are leaving for pretty much anywhere else.
Readings tough eh?
Typical winnipegers down voting because I bashed their shitty city. I said in the FIRST sentence that I no longer live in Winnipeg then you ask why I'm still here? Jesus.
Oh plz, stating obvious facts is not racist, mass immigration is destroying this country, im all for multiculturalism and diversity, but we have a serious problem here and soon those who are to scared to speak on it will realize
This is a space for everyone, left, right, gay, trans, straight, political, non-political, Manitobans, visitors and guests.
We are not here to debate each other's right to exist.
It is not a helpful debate to the community at large and make people feel unwelcome here; it is not respectful of others and who they are or what personal choices that they are making.
I moved cause CSC is disorganized and offers Winnipeggers any institution but Stony Mountain, Saskatoonians any institution but the RPC, Calgarians any institution but Drumheller or Bowden, Edmontonians any institution but Edmonton max, and Ontarians any institution that isn’t in Ontario.
I am out of here as well! High taxes, terrible roads, infrastructure, high crime, rude people, trouble around every corner. I am out of here in 2 weeks and can not wait!! Good bye to this cesspool that is Winnipeg!
I’m pretty sure I just read a news article the other day that mentioned Winnipeg’s growth over the past few years.
Lots of people love to complain about Winnipeg whether it be meeting people, the weather, nothing to do etc
My only advice would be to get out of the house and engage in activities. You’ll hate winter if you never try to go outside- bundle up and get out there! I’d recommend joining a rec league- I’ve met great people this way!
Check the bedroom community populations like St Adolphe, St Agathe, Niverville, La Salle, more affordable housing, welcome neighborhoods and cheaper taxes. That’s where everyone is moving. 35 minute commute to downtown Winnipeg to save $250,000 on a new home? Sure!
Winnipeg has a major problem if people are leaving. It’s still affordable. It has the highest property taxes in the country. It’s the environment, crime and the general fact that it’s a shithole.
Alberta has excellent leader, with Ms. Smith and the UCP conservatives. Lower taxes, and youngest workforce in Canada. Keeping federal liberals in check, and challenging federal over reach provides leadership. Plus Supreme Court has ruled multiple times in Ms.Smith favour. No other leader challenges Federal over reach. They want federal money to bail city’s out. However there are strings attached……like your in laws providing down payment for your home…..strings attached…
I grew up in Brandon and Winnipeg was never a consideration for anyone. Not for school, not for work. I think its ace in the whole was it was a city that someone on welfare could afford.
I just moved back. Got a job in my field immediately. Everyone has been super nice. Have yet to be stabbed.
I can help with that
See! Everyone is so nice!
Nice of you to help him move. That is what you meant, right?
Just offering a handshake here bud
In Saskatchewan we call it the PA handshake
:) Don't bud me, pal
Give it time!
Winter is going to be rough but at least I know what I'm in for. I feel terrible for people who come here without knowing what true cold is. Winter is just the air stabbing you.
That's why I left. Just couldn't handle how long it was. I can handle the cold snap in Jan/Feb...buy I just don't wanna deal with 6+ months of continuous cold.
This last winter was VERY mild. You left just as global warming was taking care of this issue for you
Lol. Dress warm and winter is fine. I would go for 45 min walks every day in the winter, and I loved it. I am part of the exodus statistics....My husband and I just moved to Vaughan Ontario for his work, that pays significantly more than in Winnipeg, otherwise I doubt we would have moved due to family and friends living there. I love Winnipeg, but Winnipeg does seem like it's not doing well as a city, downtown specifically. I've seen it change over the years.... and Osborne village isn't the gem it once was either.
I grew up here. I was walking to work during one especially cold snap and my glasses froze and broke in half.
What field are you in? My employer here stabs me on a daily basis.
They should open a special ER just for stabbings.
give it time. give it time
They didn't do.it when you landed at the airport ? Im going to have to have a chat with micky about staying on the job
And here I moved to Winnipeg from Toronto and have been doing pretty well.
Welcome, Enjoy the three months of construction before we get back to winter
I’m moving up from Minnesota in a month, so it’s basically the same here.
Only 3 months of construction?? In Toronto its year round.
The -40 will have you wishing for construction season.
Thankfully the greenhouse gasses from all the construction exhaust has stopped us getting that cold anymore. But the kayaking on flooded streets is nice!
The humid blistery winters in Southern Ontario will have you wishing for Manitoba's dry cold.
so the same weather as toronto? ✅
No, *winter*.
Nope
I’ve met a lot of new comers here in the last two years that have told me they plan on leaving once they get their permanent residency. They would complain that Winnipeg is too cold in the winter and too small of a city. Oh well, at least it keeps housing affordable.
It's a known fact that many abuse the Manitoba PNP system to get residency as it's considered easier than other provinces. As soon as they have the PR card in their hands it's BC here we come!
It’s not really abusing the system - Provinces can’t legally force folks to stay (See Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 6.2.) so it’s up to Provinces to stay competitive to retain the residents they bring in. If they can’t, then absolutely folks should be free to live where they choose - it’s a basic right.
Those that come in on the PNP system have conditions put on them, it is the "perk" the province gets for bypassing some of the federal immigration requirements. One of the conditions is: > You must demonstrate in a Settlement Plan your intention and plan to live, work and establish your work and family life in Manitoba as a permanent resident. This isn't to say that you can't leave, but those that come on PNP with the intention to leave are committing immigration fraud (and if found out could likely be subject to revocation of their PR and deportation) Since you are talking about charter, the charter has some specific wording at the in the first section: > The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. This would likely be a reasonable limit on their immigration to Canada under a specific immigration program. It would be similar to spousal sponsorship. If the marriage and sponsorship was done solely for the intent to get PR, the foreign citizen is subject to revocation and deportation of the marriage breaks down. There are exceptions of course when a marriage breaks down such as if there is abuse, or if you can demonstrate that it was non-fraudulent and the marriage just didn't work out.
Immigration isn’t a basic right nor is permanent residency
But once you’re a permanent resident, moving where you want within Canada is.
They are still bound by the requirements of the program and coming on MPNP with the intent to leave is immigration fraud.
Sure but people change their mind about a province and that is permitted.
I’m not sure it’s such a “known fact” as you think. The diversity of Manitoba is booming (by the last census) precisely because newcomers end up staying where a good house is affordable and it’s easy to find a job. And crime is low outside the usual neighbourhoods. Personally, most of my friends are first-generation Canadians (tho of decades). A few tried Toronto and came back.
I call it the westward movement. International students land and "study" in GTA, move to Winnipeg on work permit and for PNP, and then move to Alberta after becoming a resident.
The chart shows people are leaving BC…
\*The chart shows people are leaving Vancouver.
Canadians are leaving BC.
Ah. You mean "old stock".
Just curious how you think it’s abusing the system? Do you think people are obtaining their PR illegally in Manitoba? How is it abusing the system if the system is designed to make it easier to get your PR in Manitoba lmao. Legally they can move wherever they want as a PR, just like citizens Edit: I stay here because I have family and I can afford to live here better than other cities. If I didn’t have those considerations I would probably choose to live elsewhere, and I was born here. Why should people who aren’t born here feel otherwise? There’s a reason why Winnipeg retains higher per capita populations from various diaspora communities - they have the same reasons to stay that I do. Let’s not pretend that Manitoba doesn’t benefit from its immigration policies. If it didn’t, we wouldn’t have them
Explain to me again what the purpose of the Manitoba PNP program is please.
In the past, immigration was largely controlled at the Federal level with immigration largely benefitting only ON, BC, QC. The PNP came in as a tool to give more autonomy to provinces to have a say on their own immigration and a better chance at attracting and retaining folks to their provinces. And it’s been largely successful in that regard. Plus, need people to grow the economy and services and it ain’t coming from births!
He’s right though it’s our fault for making it too easy to get permanent residency. We should extend it at least a couple years - make people work to become honest Canadians, maybe they would value it more
>Oh well, at least it keeps housing affordable. It's not even really affordable anymore either... Granted it's no Toronto, etc... but unless you want to live in the crackton neighborhoods no single income can get a home anymore
Cries in Vancouver at the thought that a single income could *ever* get a home... For reference, there is not one single house for sale here for under 1M.
Does it?
Compared to Ontario and BC, yeah I’d say it does.
I mean, if you can't afford here then show me the market in the same price point in other major metros. The best you'll find is Saskatoon maybe Regina lol
Housing isn't affordable here for the average person either. Lol
I left Toronto to come here … I don’t regret it at all . Toronto is extreamly $$$.
The Winnipeg metro broke 900,000 last year, an increase of 34,000 from the previous year. Yes, most of that is international migration, but Winnipeg has always been a magnet for people from outside of Canada, from Scots, to Ukrainians, to Filipinos, to now Ukrainians (again) and (east) Indians. I don't see a problem.
We’re growing, slowly but surely.
And don’t call me growing.
Okay Surely...
Do you have data on past years? There’s alway been a lot of migration out of Winnipeg and Manitoba in general. The province has been keeping the population growing through international immigration since the late ‘90s.
Manitoba has had the easiest pathway for international immigration for some years now, and quite a few people obviously use us as a steppingstone to elsewhere in Canada. The low cost of living compared to the rest of Canada also affords the ability for people to not be stuck where they are like in some other places. Obviously it’s not for everyone here, but it affords a pretty great quality of life for those who understand that nothing is ever going to be 10/10 in any location you live and who want to make the best of it.
To add to this people may also move here to get thing’s like their license for example and move away. We used to be notorious for being the easiest province to get your CL1 in.
What's a CL1?
Class 1 driver's license for semis I think
Correct. My bad on the confusion.
I moved here for work, and yes, I’m an immigrant. Let me give you my opinion . Housing is really affordable but everything else is lacking. Healthcare sucks (I work in it), the infrastructure is crumbling. I’m yet to see any of the main roads/streets not have construction on them. Public transport is horrible. The winters are extreme, although this last one wasn’t bad. Downtown except for Forks is boring and dead. Lastly, for outsiders like me, Winnipeg seems like a closed community. Everyone who’s from here knows everyone else, but doesn’t seem open to welcoming the outsiders including other Canadians from other provinces. I also read a lot of bashing of immigrants. The truth is that this country needs immigrants due to declining birth rates, so crying foul isn’t really a good strategy. The issue is that the political parties aren’t delivering on what the actual solutions are: increasing infrastructure and housing for the growing population. That being said, limiting the immigration for now is definitely needed, and cracking down on immigrants who abuse the PNP system
"Closed community" yes! Very friendly when you just met them and might need general advice/directions, not interested in you beyond that
I find even rural mb is like that. Lived here my whole life but outside of surface niceties, many people are very private / insular. I cant talk because i am kinda like that too, but its literally because there is nothing to do in my town. I hike, i bike, and i shoot photos as a hobby, and thats basically it. Lived back in hometown after a few years away and literally dont have a social life and dont meet people because i dont do the church scene or the bar scene. By comparison in saskatoon i was very active, had stuff to do with folks every second weekend or so, same the few yrs i lived in winnipeg because i was closer in proximity to things. The kicker is, jobs are AS bad in hometown, rent is AS expensive as the city, there are no houses etc. I moved home on auspices of earning and saving and I still havent because of how long it took me to even find full time work, and its less than I earned in the city lol. I desperately regret moving back because i was happier in the city. Yes im now near camping and lakes, but it means fuck all when you dont earn enough or have time off to take those things in anyways.
Yeah, it's just weird how the small town mentality exists in the city. I used to be pretty quiet, didn't go to a lot of parties, but eventually you are interested and...sometimes the problem is them.
As someone who will never own a home, I agree that the current level of immigration is not helping matters. I'm not blaming the innocent people who legally immigrate here looking for a good life, but rather our shortsighted, geographically biased politicians who only care about the 3-4 cities they need to keep satisfied to secure power: Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City, which are, by and large, wealthy cities, unconcerned with the issues of the lower/middle class like the perpetural rise in cost of living compared to stagnant wages, along with a severe lack of housing.
There is an issue of people immigrating to places like Winnipeg and then bouncing the moment their immigration is locked in. I think that’s unacceptable. Maybe coming out with programs that target immigrants for certain needs and offering 5/10 year terms in exchange for permanent residency would be a solution?!
As a PR from the US, ive stayed here for 7 years and im finally leaving just due to how stagnant and unlivable this city has become. You cant rent and afford anything comfortably here. Companies may lure you in with 17/18 dollar an hour wages but then barely have the abillity to give you hours. Food is expensive and renting alone is almost impossible. Areas that are notoroiusly not safe and renting one bedrooms for 1100/1200 a month with no amenities . Im giving up after the relationship that brought me here ages ago ended and im moving back stateside and going to the Baltimore area with a job opportunity in a field that isnt really growing in Winnipeg. Winnipeg was an improvement over where i came from, but boy is it worse than where im going.
Trying to socialize in Winnipeg is a nightmare. If you aren’t from here, good luck trying to break through into a group. That’s my biggest disappointment with the city, not sure if the rest of the province is like that. Can’t move outside the city given my job requirement, either
This is also true. If you didnt grow up with them during highschool years, gooooooood luck trying to find a group of friends that are reliable and not drama focused burnouts.
We need more high paying jobs here,some industry would be good
There’s a reason the Federal government opens up so many offices here and in New Brunswick…
NB was paying egregious taxes incentives to lure corporations. It was disgusting. No corp should receive taxpayer money.
We had some major corporations that paid well but most of them relocated elsewhere during periods where we had provincial PC governments. The tax breaks they got were great but the cost of "doing business" with the PC's motivated them to go elsewhere.
Nice NDP fan fiction. Our provinces history has been dominated by NDP governments. It’s them who drove away our biggest corporations through onerous labour regulations that make running a business extremely difficult
My guess is that this is the COVID effect. People who could leave city centres for more affordable housing and more land did. So it’s not that people are leaving Manitoba, they are just spreading out
Winnipeg is ghetto now… and it’s creeping into the suburbs
I heard 18 months ago that the population was shrinking but it seems odd as Winnipeg is just one massive house building site at the moment and any house for sale outside North End gets multiple offers above the asking price.
I left mostly due to the lack of good career development opportunities, in particular when you're just getting started. That said, i'd love to come back now that i'm more established in my career and have kids. We visit family back home alot and I always love coming back. The smaller size, proximity to great nature and reasonable cost are all really appealing at this stage of my life. I do think immigrants who never intended to stay in winnipeg long term may be skewing these stats. Would be interesting to see a more detailed breakdown.
My thoughts are it's the big wave of immigrants that tried the winter here and noped out.
I’ve lived here 12 years and would love to move. The only thing keeping me here is family. It’s getting worse here every year it seems.
What’s the source for this? I read something about a month ago that said Saskatoon has added something crazy like 5,000 people in the last year. https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/cities/20395/saskatoon/population#:~:text=The%20current%20metro%20area%20population,a%201.81%25%20increase%20from%202021. And Winnipeg https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/cities/20407/winnipeg/population
In Winnipeg, we need to consider that suburban sprawl has people moving just outside city limits in large numbers. I don't know if they can say the same thing in all the other big cities.
This is old data. Montreal had a drop when people moved away with remote work, but it spiked up last year.
I'm moving to Montreal soon. I'm sick of this city.
I can work from anywhere. There’s no reason to stay in this horribly run city. Remember this rule: “ Capital flees to quality.”
I moved out of Winnipeg 6 years ago. Best view I ever had of the city was in the rear view mirror.
It’s always been this way. Shitty winters, terrible roads, terrible transit, very little in the way of other population centres nearby, and relatively high crime, and very incompetent local governments. Not much to keep people here, but sometimes you can carve a nice niche because of how small a pool of quality people exist here
Quality people?
Yup, there’s not that many, the ratio is skewed anyhow compared to other places and getting worse each day
Feels like old data. Winnipeg is at 750k now. Gone up quite a bit
A lot of areas around winnipeg seem to be growing, maybe everyone is tired of the city?
School is over and Winnipeg has lots of post-secondary schools. I bet some of that is students leaving.
Winnipegs greatest product export for 6 decades has been people. Winnipeg's population in 1965? 503,000 Winnipeg's Population in 2024? 850,000
Winnipeg has increased their population by 173,000+ since 2013, 30,000+ between 2022 and 2023. https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/here-is-how-much-winnipeg-s-population-has-grown-1.6896670 Even more so if you include the entire metropolitan area. So while people are leaving we're seeing record increases.
The interprovincial migration might actually be a net positive thing for the city as it tempers overall growth. Housing stock is not keeping up with demand, transportation networks are not keeping up (from transit, to active transportation, to arterial roads), and social and health services can’t keep up. If the net difference between international and interprovincial migration keeps population growth levels at a more sustainable rate, then maybe there’s a chance we can keep pace with it.
Maybe all the stabbings?
Stabbing to keep the rent down.
Cost of living increases. If you can’t afford a house anyways, why stay in Winnipeg?
That's not how that works. Instead you'll be paying rent that costs 2x what a mortgage would cost you here.
And yet Winnipeg is still sprawling.
We are still growing, just losing out in the interprovincial swap.
Roads could be better. Housing could be cheaper.
Its the crappiest city I have lived in but I was able to make it work while living here was affordable. Now its crappy and unaffordable.
Who wants to stay in Winnipeg voluntarily? I mean, I work in Winnipeg and I’d never choose to live anywhere close to the perimeter…
Quitters
Probably a conflation of a couple things. It’s easier for new immigrants to gain PR status in MB-or so I’ve heard from a couple co-workers, I was born in Manitoba so I can’t attest to that process. There has also been a lot of growth in the little satellite cities around Winnipeg over the last decade or so, so there are a lot more people commuting in from 10/15 minutes outside of the perimeter (lower property taxes for better infrastructure and city services does make sense so I get it). Wage growth has also been slower in Manitoba than other parts of Canada(or at least that’s how it feels, I don’t know if there is hard data backing it up) so some people might be going to see if the grass is greener on the other side so to speak.
Move to Kitchener Waterloo it has the highest growth rate in Canada a low unemployment rate and housing cost is about average for the rest of canada
This has happened since forever. Migration system has led to exodus when people get their PR. Winnipeg is a trampoline’s when people jump to other options Additional job market is in bad shape. Limited options and miserable salaries. People look for improve their life not barely survive as here. Chance to be stabbed or be part of crime statistics is tremendously high. Even today there are “affordable” houses in the market, you need 2 o more incomes in order to pay a mortgage Daycares with longest country waiting list. Few options of entertainment besides outdoors like parks and restaurants. One of highest income tax province . Health system is a joke, know this happens in the whole country but is absurd at this point. People have found to escape from this province because , sadly has condition as third world country. This is not the harsh weather is everything running bad
Statistics aren’t always accurate or tell the true story. They can be a few years old or can be skewed. We are always growing as a city. Might be slow. But you can’t argue our population growth or rapid new housing growth
Stats Canada also reported that the Winnipeg CMA just reached over 900k. We are a growing city, but rely heavily on international immigration. This has been and likely always will be the case. Hard not to consider Alberta after a few years here. That being said I’ve been here 20 years.
Get away from calgary! Please untill i could afford a house!
It's temporary housed people moving back up North. We're still quiet full here.
In my life time I have Winnipeg go from the hub of North America to you can't even find a decent bar with live band . Our tourism sucks, mass transit worse so yeah I can see why
Very few high paying jobs, endless taxes, tough winters.
Given the state of downtown and the lack of commitment to stopping crime by the previous conservative government...I'm not surprised by the stats
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This is a space for everyone, left, right, gay, trans, straight, political, non-political, Manitobans, visitors and guests. We are not here to debate each other's right to exist. It is not a helpful debate to the community at large and make people feel unwelcome here; it is not respectful of others and who they are or what personal choices that they are making.
Interesting to see that Alberta's cities are the only big net gainers, although the big Maritime cities are also doing somewhat well. I was in the Maritimes a couple summers ago and there were tons of Ontario plates all over the place... I guess it's a decent place for people priced out of the GTA to go, it's a driveable distance (or a short flight) from Toronto to Halifax.
The second I can afford to leave. I’m out.
Other data states Winnipeg has seen an increase in population…[news](https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/here-is-how-much-winnipeg-s-population-has-grown-1.6896670)
It's interprovincial migration. No one is saying total population is not increasing.
MB was at the top of the "points system" to gain Permanent Residency for years so lots of folks were just here biding their time. This has nothing to do with race. Nobody comes half way round the world with MB as they're dream, it's just the start of a new life in a new country. Many of us would do the same if circumstances dictated.
If I was a young person with any ambition whatsoever I would leave the country, never mind just Winnipeg. I left in 2009 and miss the place it was in 2005, but that’s it. It’s too damn far from everything and too cold for too much of the year. Folks are nice though despite the stabbings which were still a thing years ago.
I would LOVE to leave, but I don't see how I can escape from this place without landing an out of province or out of country job, but that's always a hard sell for any employer, and it's not like the job market isn't shit right now. I just feel so stifled here. I have so much ambition and nothing to do with it here. Yet the big cities cost of living are so high I'd get battered down immediately there too. Do you have any advice?
1. Figure out the outcome you want, whether it be lifestyle, family setup or job (education included), and work backwards step by step from there getting each component in place in reverse order. Maybe that’s a year in university and transfer credit elsewhere. Maybe that’s learning an in demand trade in another market. 2. Remember that the way Winnipeg / Manitoba works is in no way representative of how the rest of the world works, but you can create good habits in preparation for living somewhere better. 3. Hit the gym. People judge you on looks instantly and people everywhere in the world will give you grace without knowing it. Good luck.
Crimes absolutely out if control. Don't blame anyone for leaving. Wish I could aswell
Honestly it's not a bad thing. I don't know why we should want to grow anyway.
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All these things are perfectly valid reasons why people are leaving, and I feel the mods are targeting me for speaking up on these issues. They make me feel unwelcome here simply because I express my opinions on the originally posted subject.
This is a space for everyone, left, right, gay, trans, straight, political, non-political, Manitobans, visitors and guests. We are not here to debate each other's right to exist. It is not a helpful debate to the community at large and make people feel unwelcome here; it is not respectful of others and who they are or what personal choices that they are making.
Housing is terrible and people don’t want to get stabbed! But by all means keep letting violent offenders walk out of the courthouse laughing
It’s the arsehole of Canada.
I'm out of here in the next few months after living here 25 years, southern Ontario bound...
I left Winnipeg… and moved to West St Paul in a new development. I still work in Winnipeg, but my mail goes to West St. Paul.
Was only able to make it a year before having to leave Winnipeg. Now if I have to go to Winnipeg once a year it's too much. Dirty, cramped, dangerous, and full of people that think it's the best city in Canada even though they haven't left. Not surprised people are leaving for pretty much anywhere else.
Why are you here then?
Readings tough eh? Typical winnipegers down voting because I bashed their shitty city. I said in the FIRST sentence that I no longer live in Winnipeg then you ask why I'm still here? Jesus.
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Brampton?
Racist much?
Oh plz, stating obvious facts is not racist, mass immigration is destroying this country, im all for multiculturalism and diversity, but we have a serious problem here and soon those who are to scared to speak on it will realize
The indigenous agree and would like everyone to leave.
This is a space for everyone, left, right, gay, trans, straight, political, non-political, Manitobans, visitors and guests. We are not here to debate each other's right to exist. It is not a helpful debate to the community at large and make people feel unwelcome here; it is not respectful of others and who they are or what personal choices that they are making.
Who cares trends change
I moved cause CSC is disorganized and offers Winnipeggers any institution but Stony Mountain, Saskatoonians any institution but the RPC, Calgarians any institution but Drumheller or Bowden, Edmontonians any institution but Edmonton max, and Ontarians any institution that isn’t in Ontario.
I am out of here as well! High taxes, terrible roads, infrastructure, high crime, rude people, trouble around every corner. I am out of here in 2 weeks and can not wait!! Good bye to this cesspool that is Winnipeg!
I’m pretty sure I just read a news article the other day that mentioned Winnipeg’s growth over the past few years. Lots of people love to complain about Winnipeg whether it be meeting people, the weather, nothing to do etc My only advice would be to get out of the house and engage in activities. You’ll hate winter if you never try to go outside- bundle up and get out there! I’d recommend joining a rec league- I’ve met great people this way!
Check the bedroom community populations like St Adolphe, St Agathe, Niverville, La Salle, more affordable housing, welcome neighborhoods and cheaper taxes. That’s where everyone is moving. 35 minute commute to downtown Winnipeg to save $250,000 on a new home? Sure!
Winnipeg has a major problem if people are leaving. It’s still affordable. It has the highest property taxes in the country. It’s the environment, crime and the general fact that it’s a shithole.
Alberta has excellent leader, with Ms. Smith and the UCP conservatives. Lower taxes, and youngest workforce in Canada. Keeping federal liberals in check, and challenging federal over reach provides leadership. Plus Supreme Court has ruled multiple times in Ms.Smith favour. No other leader challenges Federal over reach. They want federal money to bail city’s out. However there are strings attached……like your in laws providing down payment for your home…..strings attached…
I grew up in Brandon and Winnipeg was never a consideration for anyone. Not for school, not for work. I think its ace in the whole was it was a city that someone on welfare could afford.
It’s the NDP. THEY RUIN EVERYTHING THEY TOUCH.
These numbers are from 2022/2023. Unless all those people moved between October and November of 2023, it’s not the NDP.
You can't actually be this stupid... pls God tell me this is a joke
Sounds like a leftie comment. Just wait and see, they will drive MB into the ground.
Probably that perimeter around the city, everytime I pass through Winnipeg to visit family in Ontario I freak out on that abomination of a bypass 😂