Legislative Report

Losing Jobs and People in an Oil Boom

Statistics Canada reported this week that Saskatchewan’s population is at its lowest level since 1982. In the middle of an oil and gas boom, Saskatchewan’s population dropped by 2,000 people from October to December 2005. In all of 2005, the population dropped by 3,757. 8,218 people left Saskatchewan during 2005. They simply packed up their families and moved.

Picture for a second, the equivalent of most people’s home town disappearing right off the map – everyone you ever knew growing up, gone within a year. Shocking isn’t it? That’s what is happening in Saskatchewan and it needs to stop. Because when a person leaves, we lose their involvement and commitment to their communities, as well as their tax dollars that help fund the public services we value like education and health care.

And yet, there is growth in our economy. Economists point to Saskatchewan’s oil and gas boom. According to them, times are good. But that doesn’t seem to matter, as Saskatchewan’s population continues to drop. The economy may be booming, but it’s a jobless boom. In the last year, Saskatchewan not only lost people, but 4,400 jobs.

How in the world can we be losing people in the middle of an oil and gas boom?

Perhaps, it’s the tired, old NDP government that is driving people out of the province. Eric Cline, the NDP government minister responsible for answering why Saskatchewan’s population is dropping said, people shouldn’t worry because the NDP has a plan, and if it doesn’t work by in a year, he’ll be the first to admit he’s disappointed. That’s all very well and good, but what about now? This is problem that’s been going on for years and must be addressed before it’s too late.

We in the Saskatchewan Party see the situation differently. We hear from parents and grandparents who have to drive for hours to see their kids. We hear from young people who want to stay in the province and raise a family but can’t, and we hear from those who have left and want to come back, but can not because there is no opportunity for them.

Statistics are not just numbers; they represent real people. Our plan is simple. Saskatchewan’s population can grow if we implement a growth agenda based on three main points: investment in infrastructure, reducing barriers to growth and committing to long-term, predictable funding for post-secondary education. If you build it, they’ll come home.

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