Member Statement (23 March 2023)

From Hansard (23 March 2023)

 

Saskatchewan’s Record Population Growth

Mr. Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Legislative Secretary for the Minister of Immigration and Career Training and the MLA [Member of the Legislative Assembly] for two of the fastest growing communities in all of Canada, I’ve seen directly the impacts of the record population growth our province is now experiencing. And, Mr. Speaker, in 2022 Stats Canada reported that Saskatchewan grew by 29,307 people, to a population of 1,214,618 people. That’s the largest increase in our population in a single year since 1914. That is a remarkable and historical achievement.

In January of 2006, only 17 years ago, our population was shrinking, reaching a low of 992,237 people. Mr. Speaker, these were dark times, as parents and grandparents watched an entire generation of young people leave our province’s farms, towns, cities, for opportunities elsewhere, many including university academics. And the NDP themselves said it would be impossible for Saskatchewan to ever get past 1 million people again. Under the NDP, that was true.

But today, Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan is growing faster than it has in 109 years. And it’s no coincidence either. Our province is attracting more people, more doctors, more nurses, more teachers, more entrepreneurs. We’re building for the future, Mr. Speaker, and that future is brighter now than it ever has been under the NDP. A stronger economy, a better quality of life, and more people, Mr. Speaker. That’s growth that works for everyone.

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