Saskatchewan population passes 1.2 million for first time

More people than ever before are calling Saskatchewan home.

According to the provincial government, record-high growth of 10,316 in the third quarter of 2022 sent the provincial population over 1.2 million for the first time ever.

Between Oct. 1, 2021 and Oct. 1, 2022, the population jumped by 22,135 people, which the government said was the largest annual increase in population seen in the province since 1921.

In a statement, Premier Scott Moe celebrated the growth.

“Saskatchewan has now grown by nearly 200,000 people since our government took office in 2007 — the longest period of sustained growth since the earliest days of our province at the start of the 20th century,” Moe said.

The premier credited the growth to jobs and opportunities available in the province, as well as affordable housing and a lower cost of living than many other parts of Canada.

The growth in the third quarter was largely due to international migration, the government said, with 10,553 people coming to the province from other countries.

Many of those are immigrants from Ukraine fleeing the conflict in their homeland, with more than 2,000 Ukrainians arriving on government-organized flights since the Russian invasion of their home country in February.

Serhii Buriak, who came to Saskatchewan from western Ukraine in July, spoke at a government event about his personal experience as an immigrant to the province.

“It’s one of the best choices of my life, especially Saskatchewan,” he said.

“When I chose Saskatoon, my grandparents told me, ‘Oh, really? Saskatoon? Your grandfather was there.’ So it’s like family tradition.”

Another new arrival from Ukraine, Dasha Zaporozhets, said she’s looking forward to new opportunities here.

“Before the war, we have a beautiful, happy life, and on Feb. 24, 2022 we lost everything. But Canada gave us a possibility to start a new life in Saskatoon,” she said.

Zaporozhets moved to Saskatchewan in June along with her husband, daughters and family pets. She was a film director in Ukraine, and though she is currently working as a cook she said she’s hoping to return to directing here in Saskatchewan.

Health Minister Paul Merriman said the province is planning a fifth resettlement flight in 2023.

“Nearly 80 per cent of Saskatchewan’s population growth is due to international migration levels,” Merriman said. “Our government is very pleased with these levels of growth and we’re committed to make sure it continues.”

He added the provincial government has already started the transition process for some of the 160 health-care workers recruited during a government mission to the Philippines.

Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan includes the goal of raising the provincial population to 1.4 million by 2030, and Moe said that target will be met if the current rate of growth continues.

“More people, more jobs and more opportunities means more investment in important services like health and education and a better quality of life in our province,” Moe added in the statement. “That’s growth that works for everyone.”

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Steve Seto