Saskatchewan Keeps Growing

Saskatchewan’s population continues to grow at a strong pace, according to new information released today by Statistics Canada.

The province’s population grew by 13,509 people in 2015 to 1,142,570.  That’s the third-strongest rate of population growth among the provinces.  In the last quarter of 2015, Saskatchewan grew by 3,691 people, also the third-strongest rate of growth among the provinces.

Premier Brad Wall said despite the challenges facing the energy sector, Saskatchewan continues to attract and retain people seeking opportunities.

“We’ve come a long way from the NDP days when Saskatchewan’s biggest export was our people,” Wall said.  “Today, Saskatchewan has become the place to be, not the place to be from.”

In the eight years since the Saskatchewan Party was first elected, Saskatchewan has grown by over 132,000 people.  That’s a sharp contrast from the previous decade under the NDP, when Saskatchewan’s population actually declined by 8,000 people.

“The NDP said it was ‘statistically impossible’ for Saskatchewan’s population to grow by 100,000 in 10 years,” Wall said.  “Saskatchewan has exceeded that goal by a long shot in the past eight years and in on track to hit our new Growth Plan goal of 1.2 million people by 2020.”

Wall acknowledged that a growing population comes with many challenges but the challenges of growth are a lot better to have than the challenges of decline.

“The NDP always governed for decline.  That’s why they closed 52 hospitals, 176 schools and 1,200 long-term care beds for seniors,” Wall said. “That’s why they raised taxes 21 times, because a declining tax base meant everyone had to pay more.

“Today, our growing population means we have much different challenges and we are addressing those challenges.  Our diverse economy continues to create new opportunities for Saskatchewan people.  We are building new hospitals, building new schools, fixing more highways, retaining and recruiting more doctors and nurses.  The Saskatchewan Party has a plan for growth.”

In the eight years since the Saskatchewan Party was elected, the province has grown by more than in the previous 75 years.

“Let’s never go back to the way it was under the NDP,” Wall said.  “Let’s keep Saskatchewan growing and strong.”

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For further information:  Kathy Young, (306) 359-1638 or 1-800-966-9611, [email protected]