Saskatoon, Regina growing faster than urban average: StatsCan

Saskatchewan's two biggest cities continue to grow faster than other urban areas across Canada, Statistics Canada says.

A report from the federal agency this week says that between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015, Canada's census metropolitan areas (CMAs) grew by 1.2 per cent.

However, Saskatoon's CMA population grew 2 per cent, while Regina's was close behind at 1.9 per cent.

The two Saskatchewan cities were among a number of Western Canadian communities seeing stronger-than-average growth.

Kelowna was the fastest-growing, with a 3.1 per cent increase, followed by Calgary and Edmonton (both 2.4 per cent).

Over the year in question, the Regina CMA grew by 4,427 to 241,422, StatsCan says.

Saskatoon's CMA grew by 6,043 to 304,975.

CMAs include the city proper and surrounding areas. The Regina CMA, for includes such communities as Lumsden, Pilot Butte and Regina Beach.

Saskatoon's CMA includes such communities as Martensville and Warman.