There was a long period of time when Saskatchewan’s primary measure of its population centred on out-migration.
We lost more people than we gained in those days – a twenty-five-year stretch running from 1982 to 2006. But then we got things turned around and we’ve been adding to our population ever since.
The latest update on the situation came from StatsCan this week with word that we now have more than 1,230,000 residents for the first time in our history. That represents a gain of roughly 5,000 in the first three months of the year.
Out-migration remains an issue for us but it is getting better. We lost nearly 6,000 to other provinces in Q1. We got 4,700 back from other places. While the balance is not in our favour, the pace of departures is slowing – down about 800 from the same period a year ago.
But we have given up the mantle as the title of out-migration capital now is Ontario. They lost nearly 10,000 in the first quarter of the year. Like here, the primary destination for those leaving Ontario is Alberta. We could probably give them some tips.
