An investigation into the reasons for, and characteristics of, population change in the area south of Riding Mountain between 1941-1961

Abstract

This study seeks to investigate the characteristics of population change in the Riding Mountain Area and to discover some of the underlying causes of these changes in the period between 1941 and 1961. The study area is located on the western edge of Manitoba, close to the North-West Escarpment and in an area of rather marginal arable farming. After a description of the geographical background of the area, which is some 3,000 square miles in extent, chapters deal systematically with population change, agricultural and urban sectors of the area, and projected future population. Correlations between population increase or decrease and place of residence, ethnic groups, employment, period of settlement, urban centres, size of farms and soil types are pointed out in an attempt to indicate the factors affecting changes in population numbers. The author projects continuing decline in numbers for this area, and predicts a gradual slowing off in population movement with the achievement of a man-resource balance based on mechanized arable farming. In his conclusions he stresses the many small scale factors which contribute to the general trend of population change, and the complex nature of the general pattern of rural population decline. The study provides factual backing, from statistics and interviews, for the processes of population change whcih have operated in the area since 1941; the majority ofthe results are represented as maps at township level.