‘It’s so vital’: Manitoba businesses raise red flag over Ottawa’s immigration cut back

Daniel Halmarson reports on why federal cuts to an immigration program could cause problems for Manitoba’s workforce.

Manitoba’s business community is concerned cuts to a federal immigration program could spell trouble for the economy.

The Provincial Nominee Program was introduced in 1998. It allows the province to bring in skilled and educated immigrants to bolster the workforce.

Malaya Marcelino, Manitoba’s labour and immigration minister, said 70 per cent of newcomers settle in the province through the program.

“It’s so vital for our business communities,” Marcelino told CTV News Winnipeg. “That’s why the province is continuing to advocate for the numbers we need here.”

In 2024, Manitoba was allowed bring in 9,540 skilled works to the province through the program. The federal government, however, has cut that number down to 4,750 this year as it slashes immigration numbers across the country.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business warns the efflux of immigrants could impact how Manitoba companies operate.

“This cut is quite a significant setback and it will definitely hurt many small businesses,” Brianna Solberg, CFIB’s director of provincial affairs, said.

Solberg said 69 per cent of CFIB’s Manitoba members are already dealing with labour shortages. She said a lack of skilled labourers is at the forefront of the problem.

“The trades… manufacturing, transportation. These are simply roles where people do need certain skills in order to perform these tasks,” Solberg said.

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce adds that without a growing workforce, businesses and Manitoba’s economy simply can’t grow.

“Immigration is not just about a short-term solution to Manitoba’s labour market shortage. It really underpins Manitoba’s long-term economic strategy,” Elisabeth Saftiuk of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce said. “I think it is critically important going forward that we align immigration policies in this country with the economic realities of separate jurisdictions.

Marcelino said she’s urging the federal government to reverse the decision and wants Ottawa to up the number of nominees to 12,000.

“We’ve been advocating for that with one voice – with the business community, as well as rural and northern municipalities across the province.”

Marcelino said she met with Marc Miller, the federal immigration minister, during his visit to Winnipeg last week. She said conversations regarding the provincial nominee program are ongoing.