Saskatchewan continues to be one of the fastest growing provinces in Canada, growing by 3,711 people in the first quarter of 2010 to an all-time high of 1,041,729 people. According to Statistics Canada, this represents Saskatchewan's largest first quarter population increase since 1972.
Saskatchewan's rate of population growth was 0.36 percent in the first quarter of the year, second among the provinces to BC at 0.37 percent.
Net inter-provincial migration (people moving in from other provinces minus people moving to other provinces) accounted for 1,297 of the increase and there was a natural increase (births minus deaths) of 865. Net international migration made up the other 1,549 of the population increase.
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister and Minister responsible for Immigration Rob Norris said Saskatchewan continues to attract people seeking opportunities from other parts of the country and the world.
"At the same time, more Saskatchewan people - especially our young people - are choosing to stay in the province," Norris said. "Gone are the days when our people were our biggest export. The new Saskatchewan is growing and moving forward."
Norris said with the tremendous population growth, there are still plenty of opportunities in Saskatchewan.
"Saskatchewan has the lowest unemployment rate in Canada and today there are more than 5,700 career opportunities posted on www.saskjobs.ca," Norris said. "Saskatchewan's a great place to work, but it's an even better place to live."
