NLIS 5
September 25, 2003
(Finance)

 

Population increases for first time in more than a decade

The population of Newfoundland and Labrador increased over the past year for the first time in more than a decade. And for the first time since 1982-83, the province experienced positive net migration.

There was positive net migration between July 1, 2002 and July 1, 2003, according to information released today by Statistics Canada. During that period, the province�s population increased by 300 to 519,570.

Finance Minister Joan Marie Aylward said the increase, while small, "clearly marks a turning point from the demographic experience of the past 10 years. It marks the end of a downward trend in population that began in 1993 shortly after the groundfish moratorium removed the main industry of many rural communities and changes to the Employment Insurance program made it more difficult for workers to access benefits."

There has been a gradual decline in net out-migration since 1997-98 when the annual population decline peaked at 11,079. Since then, there has been a positive trend in net out-migration, along with a positive trend in the province�s economic performance.

"A dramatic turnaround in migration trends, relative to recent years, led to the reversal in population trends," Minister Aylward said. The number of persons moving to the province between July 1, 2002 and July 1, 2003 exceeded the number leaving by 77. Net in-migration combined with small natural growth of 223 produced a population increase.

"The province�s strong economic growth in recent years is paying off in the migration figures. It demonstrates that government�s economic agenda is working. It is also the result of the confidence Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have in their ability to contribute to the economy, their determination to start small businesses - the backbone of our rural economy - and their commitment to working with this government on economic strategies such as Jobs and Growth to continue to build on the strong economic performance the province has been experiencing. This also speaks well to the many initiatives we have launched to encourage business growth and grow the economy. We look forward to even more positive developments in the future," Minister Aylward said.

Media contact: Josephine Cheeseman, Communications, (709) 729-0329

2003 09 25                                        10:45 a.m.


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