Vol. 103 No. 51
Box 40, 102 3rd Ave West, Biggar, Saskatchewan S0K 0M0
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2012
email: tip@sasktel.net
Phone: 306-948-3344
24 pages g
$ $1.25
www.biggarindependent.ca
Saskatchewan grows by more than 23,000 people in past year Province continues to grow at fastest pace in more than 90 years New population numbers released Tuesday by Statistics Canada show that Saskatchewan grew
by 6,606 people in the third quarter of 2012 to an alltime high of 1,086,564. From October 1, 2011
to October 1, 2012, Saskatchewan’s population jumped by 23,024. That’s the most growth in a single year since 1921, beating the mark of 22,154 set in the previous quarter of this year. Premier Brad Wall said the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth released by the government in October will ensure this growth continues and that the government is meeting the challenges of a growing province. “Growth means more jobs and opportunities for Saskatchewan people,” Wall said. “It means more and more young people are choosing to stay in Saskatchewan after they finish their education
instead of moving elsewhere. “Growth means that this fall, we were able to provide additional funding to schools with rapidly expanding enrolment while still maintaining the only balanced provincial budget in Canada. These are some of the benefits of a growing province and that’s why we want it to continue.” Saskatchewan’s population grew by 2.16 per cent in the past year, second only to Alberta among Canadian provinces. Only Saskatchewan, Alberta and Newfoundland enjoyed positive interprovincial migration (more people moving in than moving out) in the past quarter. S a s k a t c h e wa n ’s n e t
in-migration of 1,286 people in the past quarter included 714 from Ontario, 248 from Manitoba, 194 from British Columbia, and 34 from Alberta. The population increase also includes net international migration of 3,734 and a natural increase (births minus deaths) of 1,586. The Saskatchewan Plan for Growth sets a target of 1.2 million people living in Saskatchewan by 2020. Wall said the province is on track to meet that goal. “A strong economy, a balanced budget, thousands of job opportunities - these are the foundations of a growing province and that’s why Saskatchewan is the place to be in Canada right now,” Wall said.
Battle’s won . . . Biggar Atom National, Scott Sawatzky, battles for the puck versus the visiting Rosetown Red Wings, Sunday. Nats were on top for the better part of the contest but lost 8-7. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
Gov’t of Canada invests to help youth in Saskatchewan get jobs The Government of Canada announced new funding to support youth in Saskatchewan to help them gain the knowledge they need to enter and succeed in the job market. The announcement was made by the Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. “Our government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity,” said Ritz. “The Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy is helping youth develop the skills and gain the experience they need to get jobs now and prepare for the workforce of tomorrow.” Skills Canada Saskatchewan Inc. is receiving over $42,000 from the Youth Awareness program to help youth learn about educational and career options. Youth Awareness complements the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES). It provides financial assistance for projects designed to promote youth as the workforce of the future. Through various activities, including presentations at schools, newsletters to youth and the distribution of pamphlets and posters, Skills Canada Saskatchewan will develop awareness of and promote the skilled trades and technologies as career options for youth to help address current and future labour market shortages. “Skills Canada Saskatchewan is very pleased to have received funding from the Government of Canada,” said Al Gabert, Executive Director for Skills Canada Saskatchewan. “We will now be able to continue with our mission of promoting skilled trades and technologies as a first-choice career option for Saskatchewan’s youth.” With annual funding of more than $300 million, YES helps youth, particularly those facing barriers to employment, obtain career information, develop employment skills, find jobs and stay employed. YES includes the Skills Link and Career Focus programs and the Canada Summer Jobs initiative, which creates thousands of job opportunities for students every summer. Economic Action Plan 2012 is providing an additional $50 million over two years to enhance YES through a new initiative that will connect young Canadians with jobs that are in high demand and help them develop tangible skills and gain work experience. Youth employment programs are part of the Government of Canada’s broader strategy to create an educated, skilled and flexible workforce. The Government underscored its commitment to this strategy in Canada’s Economic Action Plan. A key component of the Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development.
Home Improvements . . . Biggar Central School’s Darian Bartusek has his inner architect in overdrive, Monday, as students build holiday gingerbread houses. The tasty, candy-filled structures were a perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)