Alberta leads population growth

September 30, 2009


Bolstered by the highest quarterly birthrate in 13 years, Canada's population grew slightly in the second quarter of 2009, Statistics Canada reported on Tuesday.

Standing at 33,739,900 by July 1, the population jumped by 121,200, or 0.36 per cent. With 96,200 births in the quarter, it was the most second-quarter births since 1996, and an increase of 1,600 births over the same period in 2008.

While every province and territory reported population gains, Alberta led the charge among provinces in population increase, with a jump of nearly 0.6 per cent, which was a result of immigration and births.

In Ontario, however, its second-quarter increase of .34 per cent marks the smallest second-quarter spike in 16 years.

Newfoundland and Labrador, on the other hand, experienced its largest second-quarter increase since 1983, with a jump of 0.28 per cent, largely credited to migration from other provinces.

===========


Dalai Lama captivates Calgary; thousands hear spiritual leader

CALGARY - Thousands filled the Saddledome on Wednesday to hear a message of compassion and peace from one of the world's most revered spiritual leaders.

Many among the Calgary audience said they were struck most by the simple truth of the Dalai Lama's words in his first visit to the city in three decades.

"The whole thing was just overwhelming, to see somebody like the Dalai Lama. It was wonderful. It was almost peaceful. It was like he was talking to me, person-to-person," said Henrietta MacGregor, 80.

"I just feel happy. He's awesome," added her granddaughter, Jasmine MacGregor, 12.

The Dalai Lama enthralled the audience of nearly 15,000 for more than an hour as he described the attitude needed to find both inner and outer peace.

"We are the same human beings. I want a happy life, you want a happy life. On that level we can work together...make a common effort for a better world," the exiled Buddhist leader said.

The Tibetan spiritual leader is in Calgary for the two-day NOW conference hosted by the University of Calgary.