Thompson seeks immigration boost to fill labour gaps

Thompson is seeking provincial approval for a regional immigration initiative that would bring up to 200 endorsed workers to Northern Manitoba over three years to help address labour shortages in sectors ranging from health care and trades to retail and hospitality.

The proposed Regional Strategic Initiative is being advanced by the City of Thompson, Thompson Chamber of Commerce and Thompson Community Development Corporation.

A letter of intent sent to Manitoba’s labour and immigration minister in August formally notified the province of the community’s plans and requested an allocation of 200 endorsements over a three-year pilot period.

The proposal is aimed at filling workforce gaps identified through a regional labour forecast and an employment survey conducted among Thompson businesses.

The city says candidates already living and working in the region would be considered for the Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream, using occupation-specific or region-specific selection. Candidates living outside Manitoba would be considered under the Skilled Worker Overseas stream at the discretion of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.

Thompson city council reviewed the initiative at its Sept. 8 Committee of the Whole meeting and is expected to consider a resolution appointing the Thompson Chamber of Commerce to lead the city’s Labour Market Assessment and the Regional Strategic Initiative for Immigration.

The proposal comes as Thompson faces a combination of population decline, retirements and difficulty recruiting and retaining workers.

According to the initiative’s October 2025 report, Thompson’s population fell from 13,678 in 2016 to 13,035 in the 2021 census, a decline of 4.7 per cent. The report notes that the city provides health care, education, government, commercial and other services to more than 50,000 people in surrounding northern communities.

A 2024 survey of 40 Thompson businesses found that 37 per cent had up to three vacant positions, with openings primarily in full-time roles. Employers identified administrative, customer service, entry-level and technical positions among their vacancies.

The report says more than 65 per cent of surveyed businesses expected to remain stable or grow by 10 per cent or more, but identified the labour shortage as the most significant threat to their future sustainability.

A more recent Thompson Employment Forecasting Survey found that 62 per cent of businesses reported being understaffed. Employers projected more than 500 job openings over the next five years, including 325 full-time, 120 part-time and 55 seasonal or temporary positions.

The survey identified technicians, cooks, administrative assistants, restaurant supervisors, managers and early childhood educators among the positions in demand.

Immigration is already playing a role in some local businesses. The survey found that 48 per cent of businesses attributed growth to hiring immigrant workers and building a diverse workforce.

The proposed initiative would establish committees involving government, business, Indigenous and newcomer representatives to oversee the program and select candidates.

The city says the ultimate goal is not simply to bring more people to Thompson, but to stabilize the regional workforce and support the city’s role as the northern service hub.

» Winnipeg Sun