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SO The Pop boom is coming ! or Is it here? i hope we are ready for it?

Sask. population up 18,000 over last year: StatsCan
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Saskatchewan grew faster in the first three months of 2008 than it has in any first quarter in decades, Statistics Canada says.

The federal agency's report on population released on Wednesday said in that quarter, Saskatchewan's population grew 0.35 per cent to an estimated 1,010,146. It was the second highest rate of growth among the provinces, with Alberta taking the top spot with 0.41 per cent.

Although Saskatchewan was long a place that was losing population to Alberta and other provinces, that trend began to turn around in 2006.

From the end of March 2007 until the end of March 2008, the provincial population grew by close to 18,000 people.

Provincial government officials were hailing the latest statistics on Friday as another sign that prosperity is taking hold in Saskatchewan.

"Saskatchewan's job opportunities and quality of life are attracting thousands of people from other provinces and other countries," Rob Norris, the minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour, said in a news release.

Among the newcomers are Nicole Hassen and Jason Beaumont, who are excited about moving into their own home in Regina after living in relatively cramped quarters in Calgary.

"It was pretty tough to get accommodations," Hassen said. "This is a huge step for us, starting our lives together."

According to Statistics Canada, the population jump is due to record numbers in immigration, interprovincial migration and non-permanent resident net inflows.