DURHAM -- The numbers confirm what everyone suspected: Durham Region is growing by leaps and bounds.
Statistics gathered by the 2006 Census show that the region grew by more than 50,000 residents in the past five years. That represents a growth of 10.7 per cent -- almost double the 5.4 per cent Canadian average.
"Durham Region is showing some very significant growth," said Jim McKibbin, a manager with Statistics Canada.
He said that Ajax and Whitby saw the largest jump in population with numbers rising by more than 20 per cent. Oshawa and Pickering experienced only a mild population growth and Brock actually saw a slight decrease. Uxbridge's population increase was close to the average for Durham Region at 10.3 per cent and Clarington was only slightly higher at 11.4 per cent.
As part of the Greater Golden Horseshoe -- an area that stretches along the western end of Lake Ontario and houses 8.1 million people -- Durham Region is among the fastest growing areas in the country.
So what does this growth mean for the region?
Peter LeBel is the director of community marketing services for the Town of Whitby. With more than 23,000 new residents since 2001, Mr. LeBel says Whitby is one Durham municipality that is facing some significant challenges.
"We have worked very hard to manage our growth," he said, citing investment in library, recreation and fire services. "But there is no question our budget is straining with the impact of this growth."
Increased population has led to congestion and early road deterioration, he said.
"And it isn't just Whitby. Durham has also, as a region experienced tremendous growth," he said. "As a result we need to have continued investment in infrastructure and that needs to come with assistance from the province."
Mr. LeBel says the area's other big obstacles will be health care, economic development and job growth.
"One of the key priorities of the mayor and council is to balance the growth in the residential sector with the non-residential," he added.
Patrick Olive is of the same mind. As the region's commissioner of economic development and tourism, he says the department is working hard to expand Durham's key sector areas to create more jobs to keep up with the increase in population.
"We are also working to protect our employment lands for future industrial development and taking advantage of the research coming out of UOIT. This research will facilitate the creation of new companies and, essentially, translate to higher skilled jobs," he said, adding that job growth will ensuring that people living in Durham have the opportunity to work here.
Mr. McKibbin says the Census information should be treated as a socio-economic report card for the country.
"It allows decision-makers on many different levels -- federally, provincially, and municipally -- to make good and effective decisions about how dollars are spent in communities."
Comments(3)