Winnipeg, Canada — As housing challenges continue to escalate across the nation, Manitoba is grappling with similar issues. While Winnipeg remains relatively more affordable compared to other major Canadian cities, home prices in the city surged by over 30% from January 2020 to January 2024. A recent survey revealed that a significant majority of Manitobans, including 71% of young adults, expressed concerns over housing affordability.
The rapid rise in home prices underscores a critical imbalance between housing development and population growth. Over the past few years, Manitoba has welcomed an unprecedented influx of new residents, largely driven by record immigration levels. In 2023 alone, the province recorded a historic 41,570 newcomers, followed by an additional 34,946 in 2024. To put this into perspective, the province’s highest pre-pandemic population increase was 21,680 in 2016.
In contrast, housing construction has not kept pace with this surge. In 2024, only 7,191 new housing units were initiated in Manitoba, mirroring the construction levels seen in 2019 when population growth was approximately half of today’s figures. This disparity has widened the gap between the rise in new residents and the availability of adequate housing, leaving Manitoba now housing nearly three times as many newcomers per housing unit compared to the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Policymakers are now faced with the pressing question of how to stimulate homebuilding and make housing more accessible. While local and provincial governments have little control over population influx, they do wield influence over housing development. Recent municipal changes in Winnipeg are steps in the right direction. New regulations are facilitating the construction of secondary suites and higher-density housing, which could alleviate some of the pressure on the housing market.
However, other existing policies are creating obstacles for developers. For instance, the provincial government’s rent control measures can deter the construction of new rental properties due to reduced potential returns on investment. Moreover, municipal regulations in Manitoba are often more stringent compared to neighboring provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan. On average, Winnipeg builders wait about 10.1 months for municipal approval on typical projects, a stark contrast to Edmonton’s 3.4 months and Saskatoon’s 2 months.
Addressing these systemic issues is critical. Experts argue that if governments across Manitoba ease the restrictions, cut costs, and shorten timelines associated with homebuilding, it could lead to a more responsive housing market capable of accommodating the growing population.
As the region strives to tackle these challenges, the emphasis must be on fostering a growth-oriented environment that encourages residential development. Only through proactive measures can Manitoba hope to balance the demand for housing with the realities of its blossoming population.