Staffing shortages blamed for Manitoba's failure to meet former government's immigration targets

The former Manitoba government successfully lobbied Ottawa to welcome thousands more newcomers to the province than planned, but then couldn't process many applications in time. 

As of last November, the province issued 6,333 nominations through the provincial nominee program — well shy of the 9,500 nominations the former PC government was permitted to approve in 2023.

Each nomination represents one family unit, as chosen applicants can bring their spouse and any dependants. 

While December's numbers, which aren't finalized, would boost the year's total nominations, the NDP government confirmed the province didn't reach its goal.  

Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino said the previous government didn't hire enough staff to sift through the paperwork. 

"I know that the department tried to process as many applications as they could, but at the end I think it was a question of capacity," Marcelino said in an interview.

The NDP was elected last October, so the government was limited in its ability to expand staffing numbers last year, Marcelino said.

"But we certainly hope to put more resources into the department and we already made certain moves to do that," she said.

A spokesperson said the province is currently advertising three job openings. Further staffing changes are being considered as part of budget deliberations.

A Winnipeg immigration lawyer said the province has a long history of accepting as many nominations as Ottawa permits.

"From my experience, this current situation is extremely unusual," Alastair Clarke said.

"Normally in the past when the federal government allocates the number of nomination certificates, the province is able to not only issue that number, but they often will receive more certificates from other provinces."

Since 1998, the Manitoba provincial nominee program (MPNP) has been used to bring skilled workers to the province to help address labour gaps. The program has contributed greatly to Manitoba's population growth by bringing in more than 185,000 people. 

Given that successful nominees can bring their families, Manitoba's failure to reach its 2023 target led to potentially a few thousand less immigrants settling in the province.