While immigration policy has changed significantly in the past two years, Canada still eagerly invites immigrants and newcomers to this country or province. Manitoba immigration, in particular, embraces a plethora of new arrivals. Our population consists of as many non-white citizens as white, evidenced by Folklorama. This event, every August for more than 50 years, celebrates the cultural diversity of nearly 50 ethnic groups in Manitoba. Clearly, immigrants are welcome in our mosaic of cultures.
We invite new arrivals mostly through our provincial nominee program. It seeks people who have specific job skills. We welcome immigrant investors as new Canadians. Our universities educate thousands of foreign-born young people. We still have a vibrant family sponsorship avenue for newcomers. And, of course, refugees seek us out by the tens of thousands each year.
With this emphasis on encouraging immigration, we concurrently need to ensure that needed services are available for you.
Immigrants Are Welcome in Manitoba
For decades, farmers and farm groups have welcomed workers. Recently, though, rural communities eagerly sought out new immigrants from all categories. Consequently, immigrants to Canada often chose Manitoba, because they know immigrants are welcome everywhere here.
With about 1/3 of our population living outside major urban centres, rural immigration drives sustainable farm life for our province. This, though, creates demand for more housing and, specifically, affordable housing. It also drives a need for increased quality of health care. At the same time, the outflow of long-time farmers and small-town residents opens the door for more local restautrants and retail.
One of the unique features of Manitoba immigration is the movement away from growth of pockets of specific ethnic groups. While, in the last, new arrivals often moved to sections of the cities where others of their background lived, this is changing. It is more common to see people of specific socio-economic status grouped in an area. As new people learn about the province, they freely move into communities where there may be few of their ethnic background. Still, they mix well into each area, while eagerly retaining their cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds. Thus, even though you arrive in a new countey or province, you instantly become an integrsl part of Manitoba.