To address rural labour shortages, Manitoba’s government has introduced a three-year West-Central Immigration Initiative pilot program. The project, announced by Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino, partners with seven rural municipalities and Gambler First Nation to support west-central Manitoba employers. The initiative aims to fill an estimated 240-300 positions within three years, responding to workforce gaps created by retirements, growth, and new job creation. This strategic partnership builds on Manitoba’s success in rural immigration, with provincial nominees increasingly choosing rural communities – rising from 16.2% in 2012 to 25% in 2023.
