Saskatoon Projected to Lead Canada in Economic Growth in 2011

Four cities located in Saskatchewan and Alberta will occupy the top four spots in the economic growth leader board, according to the Spring 2011 edition of The Conference Board of Canada's Metropolitan Outlook.

"Buoyed by the resources and energy sectors, the economies of Saskatoon, Calgary, Regina and Edmonton will post noticeably stronger growth than the other cities covered in this report," said Mario Lefebvre, Director, Centre for Municipal Studies. This publication provides a five-year outlook for 13 of Canada's largest census metropolitan areas (CMA).

Saskatoon and Regina are benefiting from strong resource development in the province, while healthy population growth is bolstering the housing markets in both cities. The medium term outlook is also bright, with both economies expected to grow at an even faster pace. Saskatoon's economy will expand by 4.1 per cent this year, and is expected to remain among the CMA growth leaders through 2013. Regina's real gross domestic product (GDP) is slated to rise by 3.1 per cent this year.