Saskatchewan population reaches all-time high

Saskatchewan’s population has set a record.

In a media release Tuesday, the provincial government said the population rose by 9,869 people in the third quarter of 2023 to reach an all-time high of 1,218,976 people as of Oct. 1.

“Saskatchewan has grown by 31,369 people over the past year — the largest population growth in a single year in more than a century,” the release said.

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The government said in the third quarter, there was a net international migration of 11,021 and a natural increase (births minus deaths) of 766. A total of 1,918 people left the province during the quarter.

Saskatchewan’s population has risen in part due to an influx of Ukrainian people who fled their home country after war broke out. More than 2,000 Ukrainians arrived in the province on government-organized flights since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022.

The release said the population is on track to reach the government’s Growth Plan goal of 1.4 million people by 2030.

Mission to Philippines and Singapore

Even more people may be moving to Saskatchewan thanks to an employer-driven job fair in Manila.

The government said the recent event led to more than 1,000 job applications being submitted to 26 Saskatchewan employers.

In a release, the government said the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training held 10 information sessions about the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) and about living in Saskatchewan. Those sessions attracted more than 500 people, the government said.

“Throughout the four-day event, immigration officials conducted 314 immigration interviews with SINP and Expression of Interest (EOI) applicants,” the release said.

“Attendees also had the opportunity to interview for employment positions from 26 different Saskatchewan employers who were present at the event, representing various sectors, including agriculture, community services, manufacturing and construction trades.”

There also were discussions with officials from Singapore-based companies to highlight Saskatchewan’s success in mining, agri-food and energy sectors.