Guidelines for Federal Policy Priorities in Urban Areas

D. Winnipeg - Profile ⁹

Local studies have profiled Winnipeg and identified factors that are likely to have an impact on its socio-economic future. This information is summarized below.

With an estimated population of 677,625 in 1999 (59% of the population of Manitoba), Winnipeg is Canada's eighth largest metropolitan area.¹⁰ Once Canada's third largest and fastest growing city, Winnipeg has had only marginal population growth in recent years. Nevertheless, Winnipeg retains its status as Manitoba's economic centre. Well over half of the total provincial workforce (63.7%) is employed in the city.¹¹ Winnipeg has a strategic mid-continent location and is one of the most diversified economic centres in Canada. According to the recent analysis by Moody's Investors Service Inc., Winnipeg has the second highest concentration of aerospace and consumer durables jobs in the country, the third highest concentration of finance industry jobs, the fourth highest concentration of transportation and cargo industry jobs and the sixth highest concentration of insurance industry, real estate and textiles, leather and apparel industry jobs.¹² Winnipeg dominates the Manitoba economy in areas such as manufacturing, communications and the wholesale trade, business services, the finance, insurance and real estate sectors, accommodation and foodservice, and the amusement and recreation sectors. Key emerging industries include aerospace, agri-food, health industries, financial services, call centres, and information technology (IT). The film and audio industry, arts and culture sector, utilities and tourism are also experiencing growth. Despite its growth, however, Winnipeg's IT sector lacks critical mass and is not as well developed as that of other successful urban centres.

Demographic indicators reveal that Winnipeg's population is aging at a faster rate than that of Canada as a whole. When compared to four Canadian cities (Edmonton, Saskatoon, London and Calgary), Winnipeg has the highest percentage (12%) of population over 65. At the same time, it has the lowest percentage of population in the 20-34 age range. Of the Canadian cities surveyed, the average household income in Winnipeg is expected to grow at the lowest rate.

Winnipeg's population grew very little during the 1990s and projected growth is expected to be below that of Edmonton, Saskatoon, London and Calgary. Winnipeg's Aboriginal population, however, is expected to increase 71% over a 25-year period from 45,000 in 1991 to 76,800 in 2016. Now at 37% of the total provincial Aboriginal population, it is projected to rise to 40% by 2016. There has also been migration from the city centre as people move to suburbs or outlying towns and municipalities. Opinion is divided on the reason for this migration; some maintain the majority of people are looking for a semi-rural lifestyle while others point to lower municipal taxes in outlying communities as the driving force behind the migration.¹³

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