Increase population only good for province, Biggar: Weekes by Kevin Brautigam of The Independent
Recently released Census numbers showing the Saskatchewan’s population increasing, can only mean that in hard economic times, the province is weathering the storm. “It’s good news,” says R a n d y We e k e s, M L A for Biggar. “Provincial numbers are up and in most towns, villages in the Biggar constituency are up. “The one thing that needs to be noted is that some of the RM numbers are down, but compared to the last five years, it’s much improved.” P r o v i n c i a l l y, t o w n s watched their numbers increase by eight per cent, while villages grew by 4.7 per cent. “We probably have a higher percentage of that in the Biggar constituency,” added Weekes. Saskatchewan’s population as of the Census date in May 2011 was 1,033,381. That is somewhat lower than recent Statistics Canada estimates of Saskatchewan’s population because of the Census “undercount” - the fact that some people are missed by the Census. Statistics Canada will estimate this undercount and make an adjustment to the figures in 2013.
Until then, the current quarterly population estimates will remain the official population estimates for the province. Saskatchewan’s quarterly population estimate stood at 1,063,535 as of October 1, 2011. In 2001 to 2006, Rural Municipality population numbers decreased by 6.8 per cent. In the latest five-year period, RM populations only dropped by 0.9 per cent. “This is a considerable improvement,” Weekes described. “It’s still down a little bit, but compared to 6.8 per cent in the previous five years . . .” He went on to say that the government will continue to work hard to keep the province growing to meet both the opportunities and challenges of growth. The population growth isn’t simply because Saskatchewan is a great place to live (it is, by the way!) “It’s a reflection of the need for skilled workers in the province. The jobs are here in industry like oil and gas but also manufacturing - that’s the big thing in Biggar constituency, quite frankly, and the Town of Biggar.” Immigration numbers have gone a long way to the population increase 28,000 immigrants in the last five years.
Rick Garchinski gives a royal wave of the hand as he was announced as ‘Queen’ (Lord help us!) of the Friends of the Lodge Valentine Dine and Dance fund raiser for the new long term care home, February 11. Janet Mair (inset picture) was named ‘King’ of the very successful event. (Independent Photo by Daryl Hasein)
Yummie, yummie, yummie . . . Biggar Central School students before being happily devoured. Catch our photo student, Gage Dearing happily munches away on a cookie, galleries this Wednesday for more pictures and video! February 14 as the school celebrated Valentine’s Day. The (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam) heart-shaped cookie was one carefully decorated by the “We can see that right province, other than First accomplished, both on low- and they are buying goods here in Biggar, and the Nations, are descendants income, and housing for and services, buying houses a growing population, in and buying cars,” Weekes same in Wilkie and other from immigrants.” reflects. “Look what is Housing, particularly general. communities. A big part of More people and growth does for our schools. . . that increase are Filipinos, in low-income housing, is b u t n o t e x c l u s i v e l y.” another issue. Programs is great news for the [An increased population] helps the community as a K orean, East Indian, are in place to address province. “They’re all paying taxes, whole.” to name but just a few t h o s e i s s u e s, We e k e s nationalities that now says, and more will be call Saskatchewan home, Weekes said. There are problems with a growing population, but Weekes points out that Biggar Quartet members, Cari and Kyle McCarty, Susan and Graham Lehnert, these are preferable to a with accompanist Louise Souillet-Hawkins, will hit the Telemiracle 36 stage population in decline. on Sunday, March 4. “You can look at issues The Quartet will hit the TV airwaves at 12:30 p.m., and are still willing to like training and language take your donations to Regina for the premier Saskatchewan fund raising event. skills, and things like that, You can also donate by bringing your donations to Tim Hammond Realty, or but Saskatchewan is made check out the various Telemiracle 36 donation boxes around town in various up of immigrants. Pretty Biggar businesses. well everybody living in the
Telemiracle Quartet slated for Sunday performance
Friends of the Lodge Valentine Dine and Dance a huge success The fund raising Valentine Dine, Dance and Auction, raising money for the new long term care facility, was a colossal success. Held this past February 11 at the Biggar Community Hall, the gala event raised an incredible $48,150 money that will go to furnishings and equipment for the long term care project, slated to replace the Biggar Diamond Lodge. All money raised goes to the $2,000,000 total needed for the furnishings and various equipment.
“I’m really proud of the Biggar and surrounding people,” a beaming Jo Angelopoulos said Thursday. “We’ve already booked the date, the hall for next year.” That date is, once again, slated tentatively for February of 2013. A week before the event, tickets sold out, making the event the hottest ticket in town. The real success was reflected in the rave reviews the event elicited in the following
days - people are already making plans for next year’s event! The success of the event was due in no small part to the countless volunteers who donated their time and effort, products for auction, items used for the evening - without those individuals who have realized the importance of the Diamond Lodge replacement, ‘thank you’ is a well-worn phrase that somehow just doesn’t seem enough.