It's happening by leaps and bounds.
Saskatoon and Regina were the fastest growing and youngest cities among census metropolitan areas (CMAs) between July 1, 2011 and July 1, 2012, according to a report released today by Statistics Canada.
Saskatoon secured top spot for growth for the third year in a row, jumping by a rate of 40.4 persons per thousand of population. This was the strongest annual growth rate of any CMA in 15 years. Saskatoon was also the youngest city among CMAs, with a median age of 34.9 years.
Regina landed in a close second for both population growth and age among CMAs, with a growth rate of 31.5 persons per thousand of population and a median age of 36.0 years. Regina's median age tied Calgary for second place and was well above the Canadian average of 40.0 years.
"It is no secret that this province is experiencing unprecedented population growth, and the strength of our Saskatchewan people can be thanked for that," Economy Minister Bill Boyd comments.
"Both Saskatoon and Regina abound with job opportunities and business confidence, making these cities ideal locations to live, work and invest."
Populations in Saskatoon and Regina saw significant increases over Statistics Canada's 2010-2011 numbers, up 11,000 and 7,000 respectively. The report credits sustained increases in international and interprovincial migration for the surge in these centres. Saskatoon and Regina's birth rate versus death rate ratio was also cited as a factor in their younger populations.
"People who left Saskatchewan for better opportunities are finding their way back, and more and more newcomers are putting down roots and calling this province home," Boyd adds.
"These are all signs of the great optimism and youthfulness that can be found in this province."
