QUARTERLY POPULATION STATS RELEASED

Released on June 25, 2003

Quarterly population figures from Statistics Canada for the first quarter of 2003 indicate the province's population was estimated at 1,007,758 as of April 1st, 2003.

That's a slight drop – 0.1 per cent – from the population estimate on January 1st, 2003.

"The figures are mildly surprising, given our overall economic momentum and our strong job numbers of the last 13 months," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. "However, with our strong economic foundations and with the increased interest people across the country are taking in our province, we're confident our population numbers will catch up to all the positive economic indicators we're seeing in Saskatchewan."

Cline noted that on a year over year basis, inter-provincial in-migration has remained stable and out-migration to other provinces has decreased, compared to the first quarter of 2002.

Saskatchewan has posted 13 straight months of job increases over previous year figures. Other economic indicators are also positive, including increases in retail sales, urban housing starts, building permit values, natural gas production, and oil and gas well drilling. Major economic forecasters are all predicting strong growth for the Saskatchewan economy.

"We've built a strong business climate in this province, with new incentives for our oil and gas and mining industries, sustainable tax cuts, and investment in critical infrastructure," Cline said. "We're also aggressively promoting investment in our province through initiatives like Team Saskatchewan and the Our Future is Wide Open campaign.

"Those efforts are resonating with business people here at home and beyond our borders, who are taking a closer look at Saskatchewan. We're also getting good response from our young people, who see that they can build their careers here. The message is getting out that our province is a land of opportunity, where the future truly is wide open."

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For More Information, Contact:

Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306)787-8277