Saskatchewan's population has surpassed the 1.1 million mark for the first time ever after growing by more than 100,000 people since 2007.
New population figures released today by Statistics Canada show Saskatchewan's population was 1,108,303 as of July 1, 2013. That's an increase of 106,255 since July 1, 2007.
Saskatchewan's population grew by 20,757 in the past year and 6,895 in the past quarter - the largest increase in any quarter since Statistics Canada began keeping quarterly estimates.
Premier Brad Wall said the rapid growth shows the strength of Saskatchewan's economy and even surpassed the government's goal of 100,000 more people in 10 years.
"Saskatchewan is the place to be in Canada right now," Wall said. "We have the strongest job growth and lowest unemployment in Canada, and we have a great quality of life in this province.
"It's a great place to find a job or start a business. It's a great place to live and raise a family. It's no wonder our population is growing."
Saskatchewan has not seen this kind of population growth since the province's early days. Saskatchewan's population grew rapidly during the province's first 25 years - from 236,000 when the province was formed in 1905 to just over 900,000 in 1930.
After that, Saskatchewan's population did more fluctuating than growing. It then took until 1983 for Saskatchewan's population to reach the one million mark for the first time. It dropped back below one million in 2001 before finally hitting one million again in 2007.
"So from 1930 to 2007 - 77 years - Saskatchewan grew by 100,000 people," Wall said. "Because of that, some thought 100,000 people in 10 years was impossible.
"Now, we've grown by 100,000 in just six years. It really shows the economic strength of this new Saskatchewan, and it shows the naysayers who believed this kind of growth was impossible were dead wrong."
Last fall, the government set a new goal: 1.2 million people by 2020.
"Our government will keep working hard to keep Saskatchewan growing, to meet the challenges of growth and to ensure all Saskatchewan people are benefitting from growth," Wall said.
