Released on September 29, 2010
Saskatchewan's population grew at the fastest rate of any Canadian province over the past year according to the latest population figures released today by Statistics Canada.
As of July 1, 2010, there were 1,045,622 people living in Saskatchewan - an increase of 4,887 people over the past quarter and 16,498 people over the past year. That's the largest quarterly increase in Saskatchewan's population since 1982 and the largest year-over-year increase since 1953.
The year-over-year growth rate of 1.6 per cent is the highest of any province in Canada.
Premier Brad Wall said that continued strong growth is a sure sign Saskatchewan is on the right track and moving forward.
"Just a few short years ago, our province was actually losing people," Wall said. "Now we are the fastest growing province in the country. People are looking for opportunity and a great quality of life, and that's what we have right here in Saskatchewan."
Saskatchewan saw net interprovincial migration (number of people moving in minus moving out) of 1,027 people in the most recent quarter. More than half of that gain - 564 people - came from Ontario, with another 282 coming from Quebec and 150 from Manitoba.
Saskatchewan also saw net international migration of 2,437 people and a natural increase (births minus deaths) of 1,423 people from April 1 to July 1.
Saskatchewan has now grown by more than 50,000 people since the start of 2007.
"Saskatchewan is the best province in the best country in the world and our government is working hard to make sure the great quality of life we all enjoy in this province gets even better in the years ahead," Wall said.
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For more information, contact:
Kathy Young
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0425
Email: kathy.young@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-526-8927