The tri-county region growing faster than both provincial and national rates
This week, Statistics Canada released the first data set of 2021 census results—and the findings show significant growth across the Clean Energy Frontier region of Bruce, Grey and Huron counties.
Since the last census in 2016, the tri-county region expanded by 6.5%, a population growth rate 12% faster than Ontario’s (5.8%) and 25% faster than Canada’s as a whole (5.2%).
In fact, the 2021 results show an increase of every municipal community in Bruce County, a difference from the findings of the previous census.
The growth in the region hasn’t happened by accident, say the co-chairs of the Clean Energy Frontier Program at the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII). Local economic development strategic planning and collaborative approaches, combined with the work happening through Bruce Power’s Life-Extension Program, have fostered this continued surge. The results also underscore the importance of ensuring that growth is sustainable and delivers a healthy quality of life for residents.
“We had a vision for sustainable and appropriate growth and now we are seeing our commitments and hard work come to fruition,” said Janice Jackson, Warden of Bruce County and Clean Energy Frontier Program Co-Chair. “The population increase brings assessment growth to our communities, helping the region invest in infrastructure like roads, bridge repairs, recreation and other municipal projects.”
In 2016, the Nuclear Economic Development and Innovation Initiative was created (now known as the Clean Energy Frontier program) and has helped Bruce, Grey and Huron counties attract more than 60 clean energy suppliers, bringing along hundreds of employees and their families.
In tandem with this work, local economic development professionals and business associations continue to attract and retain entrepreneurs and a diverse mix of residential, commercial and industrial investment.
“Advancing this economic development work took time and commitment from many partners. Members of the Clean Energy Frontier Program’s Regional Steering Committee deserve special recognition for their hard work and collaborative approach,” said John Peevers, Director, Community, Media Relations & Economic Development at Bruce Power and Clean Energy Frontier Program Co-Chair. “Thanks to our clean energy sector—driven in large part by Bruce Power’s Life-Extension Program—new businesses continue to expand into the Clean Energy Frontier region, bringing further investments and opportunities for our communities.”
“Beyond the facts and data, the vitality in the region is palpable,” said Jessica Linthorne, Director of the Clean Energy Frontier Program. “And with such population increases come the responsibility to ensure that our growth is environmentally sound, which why we see a bright future for clean energy in this region.”
National census reporting takes place every five years and provides information regarding the demographics, dwellings, and social and economic information of Canadians. Published February 9, 2022, this first data set illustrates population numbers for communities and regions across Canada as well as dwelling/density findings.
The next data set will be released in late April and will provide national data relating to age, sex at birth and gender, and type of dwellings. For more information on the census data, please visit census.gc.ca.
Learn more about the work of the Clean Energy Frontier Program at nii.ca/clean-energy-frontier.