When Howard Morrissey’s construction business collapsed in Ireland, he and his wife knew they had to leave.
“We wouldn’t have the opportunities at home like we have here,” he said.
Morrissey found a job in Regina while vacationing in Calgary.
Less than two months later, the family had relocated.
“At the end of the day this place is the busiest. I know people that are in Australia and I reckon this place is busier and there is a better quality of life here,” he said.
Saskatchewan used to be the place people left for better opportunities, now it’s the place to be.
Statistics Canada released the results of its latest Census Wednesday.
For the first time in history, the percentage of Canadians living in Western Canada has surpassed the number living east of Ontario.
Saskatchewan’s growth rate is the highest in its provincial history and trails Alberta and British Columbia nationally.
The province’s population has grown by more than 65,000 over the last five years.
In May 2011, the population was estimated at 1,033,381.
Premier Brad Wall calls it a remarkable comeback story.
“What is even more important that hitting the million mark is the further away we get from the million mark, because we have done it before and slipped back, but we are not going back this time,” Wall said.
The 2011 Census is a stark contrast to the last several Census reports.
Between 1996 and 2006, the population was steadily declining – more than 20,000 left the province.
The situation now represents a complete turnaround.
Saskatchewan’s booming natural resources and energy sectors are driving much of the growth.
Many of the workers come from out of province and from other countries.
A business analyst with the University of Regina said Saskatchewan’s long-term growth depends on these workers.
“I think the outlook is that we have a couple of decades of growth ahead and if we can resolve things like the labour issue. If we can’t resolve that then businesses will be forced to go elsewhere to do things,” said Bruce Anderson, Director with Faculty of Business Administration at the University of Regina.
Anderson said economic growth will mean more amenities for people, more opportunities to increase wealth, and a better quality of life.
Howard Morrissey couldn’t ask for more.
“Here is the place to be.”
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