SASKATCHEWAN GROWS BY 15,000 IN PAST YEAR – NOW OVER 1,020,000

Saskatchewan's population continues to grow rapidly and has now topped 1,020,000 for the first time since 1989.

As of October 1, 2008, there were 1,020,847 people living in Saskatchewan. That's an increase of 4,862 since July 1, 2008 and an increase of 15,007 since October 1, 2007.

In the third quarter of 2008, Saskatchewan enjoyed net inter-provincial in-migration - number of people moving in minus number of people moving out - of 2,064 people.

Almost half of that increase came from Alberta, as Saskatchewan had net migration from Alberta of 1,016 people. Saskatchewan also had net migration of 680 people from Ontario during the third quarter of this year. Overall, Saskatchewan had the highest net migration of all the provinces.

Premier Brad Wall said the continued population growth is a strong sign that Saskatchewan is on the right track.

"After many years of more people moving out of Saskatchewan, we now have a lot more people moving in," Wall said. "It speaks to the relative strength of our economy and the tremendous number of opportunities now available in our province.

"It also speaks to the great quality of life we have in this province, and the fact that more and more people are discovering what we already knew - Saskatchewan's a great place to make a living, but it's an even better place to make a life."

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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