P.E.I. population growth leads Atlantic Canada

Prince Edward Island easily outstripped the other Atlantic provinces in population growth in the past year.

Population estimates for July 1 of this year show P.E.I. grew 1.3 per cent in the previous 12 months, double the rate of growth in Nova Scotia, and slightly higher than the national rate.

The Island population was pegged at 148,649.

"We have an aggressive strategy in place to retain, recruit and repatriate with the goal of growing our population to 150,000 by the end of 2017," said Premier Wade MacLauchlan in a news release.

The province said it is on track to meet that goal.

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