By Andrew de Souza

Prince Albert region sees steady growth

Feb 8, 2011 | 5:15 AM

The latest population data from Statistics Canada shows Saskatchewan is among the fastest growing places in the country and Prince Albert and surrounding area is seeing that trend.

For the purpose of the report, Statistics Canada grouped Prince Albert and the region around it to the borders of Alberta and Manitoba, in what is known as the Prince Albert Economic Region.

The report released Feb. 3 showed the region, in July 2010, had a population of 205,015, up 2,037 people, from the previous year.

The annual demographics report shows that the most recent growth spurt is part of a larger trend sustained by the Prince Albert region since 2006. Since then, the region has grown an average of almost one per cent a year.

The region encompasses Prince Albert and goes both east and west to the provincial borders.

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The reports showed that the biggest sources of growth were natural births (61 per cent), followed by international migration (44 per cent) and interprovincial migration (19 per cent). Despite the increase in interprovincial migration however, more people left to other provinces than came in.

According to Doug Elliot with SaskTrends Monitor, it’s a good thing to note that more and more people are coming into the province to work and live.

“In the past, our migration has been out rather than in—people moving to Alberta rather than coming here and we just haven’t had any international immigration or people picking Saskatchewan as a place to work and live and now we do,” he said.

For John Ondrusek, CEO with the North Central Enterprise Region, the growth of international immigration has been felt locally as well as across the region and it’s a great thing for everyone.

“It’s very encouraging and we have groups like the regional newcomers program through the YWCA and they are there for a purpose, recognize a need and we have some very,” Ondrusek said.

“Saskatchewan has been on the news for the last year or two for the success it’s had in growing and the opportunities that present itself because of the investments that are coming into this province and I don’t see a slow down at this point.”

In relation to other parts of the province, the Prince Albert region had an average age close to the provincial average, which is between 37 and 39.

It showed a higher than average population of people over 65 — 15.6 per cent compared to the province’s 14.6 — but it was lower than the Yorkton area at 21.5 cent and the Swift Current area at 19 per cent.

adesouza@panow.com
 

Population
205,015

Births
1243

International Immigration
899

Interprovincial Immigration
387

Average Age
37-39

Per cent over 65
15.6