Saskatchewan and the prairie provinces are growing at their fastest rate ever, according to the latest population census.

Indeed, the west of the country is booming. For the first time in the nation’s history, Western Canada has a greater population than all of Quebec, the Maritimes, Newfoundland and Labrador combined. The population shift came thanks to the West’s massive resource base and related employment opportunities, of course. Income and corporate tax rates, retirement options, even climate are other factors that favour the West.

In Alberta and Saskatchewan especially, young families are able to find viable housing options within major metropolitan areas and in their adjacent, suburban communities. Airdrie, which is just north of Calgary, experienced an astonishing 47% growth rate from 2006 to 2011. Okotoks, to the south, saw its population increase 43% and High River, a little further down the highway, grew nearly 21% over the same census period. Strathmore, just east of Calgary, had a 20% growth spurt.

Calgary itself had the highest rate of population growth of any metropolitan area in Canada, at over 12%, with Edmonton just at its heels. And look at Saskatoon: Third highest metropolitan growth rate in Canada. Why? Affordable housing and work that attracts newcomers, mostly immigrants.

Saskatchewan has seen population growth for each of the past 11 years. Immigration Minister Rob Norris said he anticipates some 4,000 people will apply under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program this year. With family members, that could mean as many as 12,500 people arriving in Saskatchewan.

Jobs are the big draw. Demand for skilled labour in Western Canada’s booming oil and gas sector continues to grow, and Saskatchewan is flush with both, as well as potash and uranium. Indeed, the Saskatchewan economy remains a juggernaut even in the face of worldwide economic turmoil.

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