View source for Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

{{Short description|City in Saskatchewan, Canada}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}

{{Infobox settlement
 | name                     = Prince Albert
 | official_name            = City of Prince Albert
 | other_name               = 
 | native_name              = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
 | nickname                 = [[List of city nicknames in Canada#Saskatchewan|"P.A."]]<ref name=starphoenix>{{cite news | url=http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/weekend_extra/story.html?id=1fae6b5d-1cf9-47f4-a74d-80dc4a0931eb&p=3 | title=Saskatchewan slang | newspaper=canada.com | publisher=Postmedia Network Inc. | date=November 7, 2007 | access-date=December 21, 2013  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109125035/http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/weekend_extra/story.html?id=1fae6b5d-1cf9-47f4-a74d-80dc4a0931eb&p=3 | archive-date=November 9, 2012 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
 | settlement_type          = [[List of cities in Saskatchewan|City]]
 | motto                    = ''Gateway to the North''
 | image_skyline            = Prince Albert Saskatchewan in fall 01.JPG
 | image_caption            = 
 | image_flag               = Flag of Prince Albert, SK.svg
 | flag_size                = 
 | image_seal               = 
 | seal_size                = 
 | image_shield             = Shield of arms of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.svg
 | shield_size              = 
 | image_map                = 
 | map_caption              = 
 | pushpin_map              = Saskatchewan#Canada
 | pushpin_label            = Prince Albert
 | pushpin_map_caption      = Location of Prince Albert
 | pushpin_mapsize          = 
 | subdivision_type         = Country
 | subdivision_name         = Canada
 | subdivision_type1        = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]]
 | subdivision_name1        = [[Saskatchewan]]
 | subdivision_type2        = [[Census divisions of Saskatchewan|Census division]]
 | subdivision_name2        = [[Division No. 15, Saskatchewan|15]]
 | leader_title             = City Mayor
 | leader_name              = Bill Powalinsky
 | leader_title1            = Governing body
 | leader_name1             = [[Prince Albert City Council]]
 | leader_title2            = [[House of Commons of Canada|MPs]]
 | leader_name2             = [[Randy Hoback]] ([[Conservative Party of Canada|CON]])
 | leader_title3            = [[Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan|MLAs]]
 | leader_name3             = [[Kevin Kasun]] ([[Saskatchewan Party|SKP]])<br />[[Alana Ross]] ([[Saskatchewan Party|SKP]])
 | established_title        = <!-- Settled -->
 | established_date         = 
 | established_title2       = Town
 | established_date2        = 1885
 | established_title3       = Incorporated City
 | established_date3        = October 8, 1904
 | unit_pref                = <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired-->
 | area_footnotes           = &nbsp;(2021)<ref name=2021census/>
 | area_total_km2           = 
 | area_blank1_title        = [[Census geographic units of Canada#Population centres|Population centre]]
 | area_blank1_km2          = 21.37
 | area_blank2_title        = {{nowrap|[[Census geographic units of Canada#Census agglomeration|Census agglomeration]]}}
 | area_blank2_km2          = 2,537.68
 | area_land_km2            = 67.17
 | area_water_km2           = 
 | area_water_percent       = 
 | population_as_of         = 2021
 | population_footnotes     = <ref name=2021census/>
 | population_note          = 
 | population_total         = 37,756
 | population_density_km2   = 562.1
 | population_blank1_title  = Population centre
 | population_blank1        = 36,768
 | population_density_blank1_km2  = 21.37
 | population_blank2_title  = Census agglomeration
 | population_blank2        = 45,718
 | population_density_blank2_km2  = 2,537.68
 | population_demonym       = Prince Albertan
 | timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
 | utc_offset               = −06:00
 | coordinates              = {{coord|53|12|N|105|45|W|display=inline,title}}
 | elevation_footnotes      = <!--for references: use <ref></ref> tags-->
 | elevation_m              = 440
 | postal_code_type         = [[Canadian postal code#Forward sortation areas|Forward sortation area]]
 | postal_code              = [[List of S postal codes of Canada|S6V - S6X]]
 | area_code                = 
 | blank_name               = Isbister Settlement
 | blank_info               = 1862
 | blank1_name              = SK HQ [[North-West Mounted Police]]
 | blank1_info              = 1886
 | blank2_name              = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
 | blank2_info              = [[Humid continental climate#Mild/cool summer subtype|Dfb]]
 | website                  = {{URL|http://www.citypa.ca/}}
 | footnotes                = <ref name="SA"/><ref name="Deacon">{{cite web
 |title        = "the Voice of the People" Captain Richard Deacon (1850–1935)
 |work         = Reminiscences of Prince Albert Settlement's Early Citizens pages 81–88
 |url          = http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kylehome/Weatherby/rdeacon.htm
 |access-date   = May 18, 2009
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090827103341/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kylehome/Weatherby/rdeacon.htm
 |archive-date = August 27, 2009
 |df           = mdy-all
}}</ref>
}}

[[Image:Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha - Project Gutenberg etext 13103.jpg|thumb|Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Prince Consort to Queen Victoria and the namesake of the city chosen by Reverend Nisbet<ref>{{Cite book | last = Russell | first = E.T.
 | title = What's In A Name?
 | place =Saskatoon
 | publisher=Western Producer Prairie Books
 | year = 1975
 }}</ref>]]

'''Prince Albert'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Prince Albert |url=https://toponymes.rncan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique/HAPNV|website=Canadian Geographical Names Database |publisher=Government of Canada |access-date=26 February 2024}}</ref> is a small city in [[Saskatchewan]], Canada. It is the third-largest in the province after [[Saskatoon]] and [[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]]. It is situated near the geographic centre of the province on the banks of the [[North Saskatchewan River]]. Often simply referred to as '''P. A.''', the city is also known as the "Gateway to the North" since it is the northernmost major urban centre in the province and serves as somewhat of a hub between Saskatchewan's northern communities and larger communities in the south. [[Prince Albert National Park]] is located {{cvt|51|km}} north of the city and contains a wealth of lakes, forest, and wildlife. The city itself is located in a [[ecotone|transition zone]] between the [[aspen parkland]] and [[boreal forest]] biomes. Prince Albert is surrounded by the [[Rural Municipality of Prince Albert No. 461]], of which it is the seat, but is politically separate.

==History==
The area was named ''kistahpinanihk'' by the [[Cree]], which translates to "sitting pretty place",<ref>{{Cite book
 | last = Barry
 | first = Bill
 | title = People Places contemporary Saskatchewan Place Names
 | place = Regina, Saskatchewan
 | publisher=People Places Publishing Ltd.
 | year = 2003
 | isbn =1-894022-92-0
 }}</ref> "great meeting place" or "meeting place".<ref name="SA">{{cite encyclopedia
 | last = Coneghan
 | first = Daria
 | title = Prince Albert
 | encyclopedia = Encyclopedia Saskatchewan
 | publisher = Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina
 | year = 2006
 | url = http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/prince_albert.html
 | access-date = March 16, 2008
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130110001940/http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/prince_albert.html
 | archive-date = January 10, 2013 }}</ref>

The first trading post set up in the area was built in 1776 by [[Peter Pond]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Did You Know? |publisher=Prince Albert Patriot Website |url=http://www.jmcpl.ca/patriot/trivia.html |access-date=March 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060323014431/http://www.jmcpl.ca/patriot/trivia.html |archive-date=March 23, 2006 }}</ref> [[James Isbister]], an [[Anglo-Métis]] employee of the [[Hudson's Bay Company]], settled on the site of the current city in 1862. He farmed there until 1866, and had been joined by a number of families who called the site Isbister's Settlement.

The community received a boost in 1866 when Reverend [[James Nisbet (missionary)|James Nisbet]], a [[Presbyterian Church in Canada|Canada Presbyterian Church]] minister arrived to establish a [[missionary|mission]] for the [[Cree]]. Nisbet named the mission after [[Albert, Prince Consort]], husband of [[Queen Victoria]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypa.ca/Portals/0/pdf/Communications/Prince%20Albert%20-%20The%20First%20Century%201866-1966.pdf |title=Prince Albert: The First Century 1866–1966 |first=Gary William David |last=Abrams |year=1976 |location=Saskatoon |page=7 |access-date=December 13, 2010 |quote=Nisbet named the new settlement Prince Albert, in honour of the late consort of Queen Victoria.  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706173632/http://www.citypa.ca/Portals/0/pdf/Communications/Prince%20Albert%20-%20The%20First%20Century%201866-1966.pdf |archive-date=July 6, 2011 }}</ref> who had died in 1861, from whom the present city derives its name. In 1879, the [[Presbyterian Church]] brought out [[Lucy Margaret Baker]] to run the local mission school.<ref>{{cite web | title = Metis Culture 1866–1868 | publisher = Complete History of the Canadian Metis Culture | url = http://www.telusplanet.net/public/dgarneau/metis47.htm | access-date = March 12, 2008 | archive-date = November 29, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141129052716/http://www.telusplanet.net/public/dgarneau/metis47.htm  }}</ref> During the same year, the local [[Freemasonry|Freemasons]] established the first lodge in what is now the province of Saskatchewan: Kinistino Lodge No. 1, which still exists.<ref>{{cite web| title = Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan, Kinistino Lodge No. 1| url = http://www.saskmasons.ca/lodges/1.htm| access-date = May 31, 2008| archive-date = September 15, 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080915233244/http://www.saskmasons.ca/lodges/1.htm}}</ref> "The Mission", the settlement centrally located, and "Porter Town", located to the west, were the two communities that would come together to form what is now Prince Albert.<ref name="Deacon"/> The settlement east of Prince Albert was termed Goschen before finally amalgamated, however East Prince Albert still appears on a 1924 map.<ref name="Deacon"/><ref>{{cite web
 | last = Adamson
 | first = Julia
 | title = Saskatchewan, Canada, Rand McNally 1924 Indexed Pocket Map Tourists' and Shippers' Guide
 | work=Online Historical Map Digitization Project
 | publisher=Rand McNally
 | year = 1925
 | url = http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~canmaps/RandMcNally1924/index.html
 | format = Published online (November 11, 2003)
 | access-date = May 15, 2009}}
</ref>

In 1884, [[Honore Jaxon]] and [[James Isbister]] were involved in the movement which brought [[Louis Riel]] back to Canada. Riel returned from the United States following a political exile resulting from the [[Red River Rebellion]] that had occurred in 1869–1870. Five hundred people gathered to hear Riel speak one month after his return.

In the [[North-West Rebellion]] of the 1885, [[Prince Albert Volunteers]] bore the heaviest casualties of the fighting at the [[Battle of Duck Lake]]. Surrounding settlers took refuge with the [[North-West Mounted Police]] in a hastily improvised stockade at Prince Albert, fearing an attack by [[Gabriel Dumont (Métis leader)|Gabriel Dumont]], which never came. After the [[Battle of Batoche]], Major General [[Frederick Middleton]] marched to Prince Albert to relieve the town. Prince Albert, with a population of about 800 people, was incorporated as a town the same year under its first mayor, [[Thomas McKay (N.W.T. politician)|Thomas McKay]].<ref>{{Citation
|publisher = Henry Thomas McPhillips
|location = Prince Albert, NWT
|title = McPhillips' alphabetical and business directory of the district of Saskatchewan, N.W.T.: Together with brief historical sketches of Prince Albert, Battleford and the other settlements in the district, 1888 (p. 65)
|year = 1888
|url = http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/bibliography/1740/81.html
|author = Henry Thomas McPhillips
|publication-date = 1888
|access-date = 2014-04-10}}</ref> In 1904, the settlement was incorporated as the City of Prince Albert. Its government is of a council-mayor type.

Prince Albert was the capital of the [[District of Saskatchewan]], a regional administrative division of what then constituted the [[Territorial evolution of Canada|North-West Territories]]. The District of Saskatchewan was formed on May 8, 1882, and named Prince Albert as its capital.<ref name="NWT">{{cite web
 | last = Adamson
 | first = J
 | title = Map Info
 | work=Saskatchewan Gen Web
 | publisher=Rootsweb
 | date = September 1, 2005
 | url =http://www.rootsweb.com/~cansk/Saskatchewan/map.html
 | access-date =2008-03-16 }}</ref> This ended in 1905 when Saskatchewan became a province and [[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]] was designated the new provincial capital.

Prince Albert was one of the rival candidates to house either the [[University of Saskatchewan]] or the [[Saskatchewan Federal Penitentiary]]. The university was built in Saskatoon and the penitentiary was built in Prince Albert in 1911.<ref name="Pen">{{cite web|title=A History of Planning and Development in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan |publisher=City of Prince Albert |year=2008 |url=http://www.citypa.ca/Portals/0/PDF/EconPlan/2006%2007%2013%20-%20Planning_History.pdf |access-date=2008-03-16  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327120323/http://www.citypa.ca/Portals/0/PDF/EconPlan/2006%2007%2013%20-%20Planning_History.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2009 }}</ref>

The federal constituency of [[Prince Albert (federal electoral district)|Prince Albert]] has been represented by three [[prime ministers of Canada]]:

* [[John Diefenbaker]], 13th Prime Minister (1957–1963), became the Member of Parliament for [[Lake Centre]] in 1940, and when that riding was abolished in 1952, represented Prince Albert from 1953 until his death in 1979.<ref name="dief">{{cite encyclopedia|title=Diefenbaker, John George |encyclopedia=The Canadian Encyclopedia |publisher=Historica Foundation of Canada |year=2008 |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/john-diefenbaker |access-date=2008-03-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823020354/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0002289 |archive-date=August 23, 2007 }}</ref>
* [[William Lyon Mackenzie King]] tenth Prime Minister, represented Prince Albert from 1926 to 1945.<ref name="king">{{cite web|title=PARLINFO&nbsp;— Parliamentarian File&nbsp;— Federal Experience&nbsp;— KING, The Right Hon. William Lyon Mackenzie, P.C., O.M., C.M.G., B.A., M.A., A.M., LL.B., PhD |publisher=Government of Canada |year=2008 |url=http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Files/Parliamentarian.aspx?Item=b11f5b30-7d32-44e6-b23c-a24561c1eaf5&Language=E |access-date=2008-03-16  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406190920/http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Files/Parliamentarian.aspx?Item=b11f5b30-7d32-44e6-b23c-a24561c1eaf5&Language=E |archive-date=April 6, 2008 }}</ref>
* Sir [[Wilfrid Laurier]] seventh Prime Minister, represented Prince Albert in the [[Saskatchewan (provisional district)|Saskatchewan]] provisional district (still part of [[Territorial evolution of Canada|Northwest Territories]]) in 1896, before returning to his [[Quebec East]] riding later that year.<ref name="PA">{{cite encyclopedia|title=Prince Albert |encyclopedia=The Canadian Encyclopedia |publisher=Historica Foundation of Canada |year=2008 |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/prince-albert |access-date=2008-03-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823020354/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0002289 |archive-date=August 23, 2007 }}</ref>

===Royal visits===
{{Main|Monarchy in Saskatchewan}}
Prince Albert has welcomed the following members of Canada's Royal Family:

* [[Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon|The Princess Margaret]] – 1958 and 1980
* [[Andrew Mountbatten Windsor|The Duke]] and [[Sarah Ferguson|Duchess of York]] (The then Prince Andrew and Sarah) – 1989
* [[Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex|The Earl of Wessex]] (The Prince Edward) – 2003

==Geography==
{{see also|List of neighbourhoods in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan}}
Prince Albert is located on the White Fox Plain of the Saskatchewan River lowlands. These lowlands are located in the physiographic region of the Saskatchewan Plains Region of the Central Lowlands Province.<ref name="AtlasSK"/>{{Rp|40, 41}} The [[Flora of Saskatchewan|natural vegetation]] of the area consists of [[aspen parkland]] to the south and southern [[boreal forest]] to the north of the North Saskatchewan River.<ref name="AtlasSK">{{Cite encyclopedia|last=Thorpe|first=J.|editor1=Kai-iu Fung |editor2=Bill Barry |editor3=Wilson, Michael| encyclopedia =Atlas of Saskatchewan Celebrating the Millennium|title=Natural Vegetation|edition=Millennium|year=1999|publisher=University of Saskatchewan|location=Saskatchewan|isbn=0-88880-387-7|page=133}}</ref> These two ecoregions have differing soil types: the northern forested soils are brunisolic and sandy, whereas south of the river are black chernozemic soils.<ref name="AtlasSK"/>{{Rp|131, 131}} The [[North Saskatchewan River]] runs through the centre of Prince Albert. The main soils of the city of Prince Albert are those of the valley complex consisting mainly of regosolic soils which produce natural vegetation which are not forest nor grassland but a complex of the two.<ref name="AtlasSK"/>{{Rp|70, 71}} It is here that the treeline of Saskatchewan begins, and to the north of the city begins the forested growth of [[Jack Pine|Jack Pine ''(Pinus banksiana)'']], as well as other [[Flora of Saskatchewan|boreal forest]] growth in the [[Prince Albert National Park]], and [[Nisbet Provincial Forest|Nisbet forest]]. The forests north of the city, especially those containing Jack Pine are infected with [[Dwarf Mistletoe]] and various projects have been undertaken to stop the spread of this [[parasitic plant]].<ref name="AtlasSK"/>{{Rp|92, 93}} The agricultural soils around Prince Albert have some limitations and about 35% of the land is covered with sloughs or potholes. Creek systems such as the Red Deer Hill Creek and McFarlane Creek drain into the [[South Saskatchewan River]]. In the past these creeks have been known to dry up allowing farmers to cut hay, but in recent years these waterways have been overfilling due to large amounts of winter run-off and increase of the water table.<ref name="AtlasSK"/>{{Rp|106, 107}} The land use is divided into the southern woodland area north of Prince Albert and cropland to the south.<ref name="AtlasSK"/>{{Rp|110, 111}}

The Quaternary glacial geology precludes the region to have been covered by the large [[List of prehistoric lakes|prehistoric glacial lake]] called [[Lake Agassiz]]. The ancient shoreline can be seen along the "Esker Trail" in [[Narrow Hills Provincial Park]] which is just north-east of the city. Many different types of fossils have been found in the Prince Albert region. Along the riverbanks of the [[Shell River (Saskatchewan)|Shell River]] can be observed a stratum containing Quaternary bivalve mollusk shells and in 2014 the vertebrae and bone fragments of a [[American bison|bison]] were found by local college students attending Saskatchewan Polytechnic in the Shell River area. Various areas (especially eroded river banks) have been known to reveal bison skulls and other various types of fossils. Claims have also been made of various types of marine fossils including oysters, clams, corals and other invertebrates are to be found mixed in fossil matrixes just east of the city near the small village of [[Love, Saskatchewan|Love]]<ref name="Atlas of Saskatchewan">{{Cite encyclopedia | last = Coupland | first = R.T. |others=J.S. Rowe | editor=J.H. Richards |editor2=K.I. Fung | encyclopedia =Atlas of Saskatchewan | title = Natural Vegetation of Saskatchewan | year = 1969 | publisher=University of Saskatchewan | location =Saskatoon, SK, CA | pages =50, 51}}</ref> The bedrock geology is a part of the phanerozoic basin and belongs to the Lea Park and [[Milk River Formation]].<ref name="AtlasSK"/>{{Rp|76, 77}}

The bulk of the city's population and commercial areas are located on the south shore of the river, with only a few sparsely populated neighbourhoods, an industrial area, and the airport (along with some parkland) on the north.

===Climate===
Prince Albert experiences a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Dfb''). It is close to being [[Subarctic climate|subarctic]] (''Dfc'') with May and September mean temperatures being just above {{cvt|10|C}}. The coldest month on average is January with an average low of {{cvt|-22.8|C}}, and July is the hottest month with an average high of {{cvt|24.2|C}}. The highest temperature ever recorded in Prince Albert was {{cvt|39.4|C}} on July 19, 1941.<ref name="July 1941">{{cite web| publisher = [[Environment Canada]]| url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=%7C&dlyRange=1884-09-01%7C1942-11-30&mlyRange=1884-01-01%7C1942-12-01&StationID=3321&Prov=SK&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnName&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&selRowPerPage=25&Line=0&searchMethod=contains&Month=7&Day=26&txtStationName=prince+albert&timeframe=2&Year=1941| title = Daily Data Report for July 1941| work = Canadian Climate Data| access-date = 26 June 2016|date = October 31, 2011}}</ref> The coldest temperature ever recorded was {{cvt|-56.7|C}} on February 1, 1893.<ref name="February 1893">{{cite web| publisher = [[Environment Canada]]| url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=%7C&dlyRange=1884-09-01%7C1942-11-30&mlyRange=1884-01-01%7C1942-12-01&StationID=3321&Prov=SK&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnName&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&selRowPerPage=25&Line=0&searchMethod=contains&Month=2&Day=26&txtStationName=prince+albert&timeframe=2&Year=1893
| title = Daily Data Report for February 1893| work = Canadian Climate Data| access-date = 26 June 2016|date = October 31, 2011}}</ref> Winter lasts five months of the year with January daily mean of {{cvt|-17.2|C}}, causing a great temperature amplitude in comparison to the {{cvt|17.9|C}} mean temperature of July. The variability of the climate is further demonstrated by the brief transition zones with April recording both above and below {{cvt|32|C}} and {{cvt|-33|C}} respectively.

{{Weather box
|location = [[Prince Albert Airport]], 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1884–present{{efn|Climate data was recorded in the city of Prince Albert from September 1884 to November 1942 and at [[Prince Albert Airport]] from December 1942 to present.}}
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan maximum humidex = 11.7
|Feb maximum humidex = 10.6
|Mar maximum humidex = 19.4
|Apr maximum humidex = 30.8
|May maximum humidex = 35.1
|Jun maximum humidex = 41.3
|Jul maximum humidex = 41.8
|Aug maximum humidex = 40.6
|Sep maximum humidex = 36.0
|Oct maximum humidex = 29.9
|Nov maximum humidex = 18.5
|Dec maximum humidex = 8.3
|year maximum humidex = 41.8

|Jan record high C = 12.8
|Feb record high C = 12.8
|Mar record high C = 20.0
|Apr record high C = 32.2
|May record high C = 35.6
|Jun record high C = 38.8
|Jul record high C = 39.4
|Aug record high C = 36.7
|Sep record high C = 36.1
|Oct record high C = 30.6
|Nov record high C = 19.4
|Dec record high C = 11.1
|year record high C = 39.4

|Jan high C = -11.6
|Feb high C = -7.9
|Mar high C = -1.4
|Apr high C = 9.1
|May high C = 17.3
|Jun high C = 21.5
|Jul high C = 24.2
|Aug high C = 23.4
|Sep high C = 17.6
|Oct high C = 8.5
|Nov high C = -2.0
|Dec high C = -9.2
|year high C = 7.4

|Jan mean C = -17.2
|Feb mean C = -14.1
|Mar mean C = -7.4
|Apr mean C = 2.7
|May mean C = 10.1
|Jun mean C = 15.2
|Jul mean C = 17.9
|Aug mean C = 16.7
|Sep mean C = 10.9
|Oct mean C = 3.1
|Nov mean C = -6.5
|Dec mean C = -14.4
|year mean C = 1.4

|Jan low C = -22.8
|Feb low C = -20.3
|Mar low C = -13.4
|Apr low C = -3.8
|May low C = 2.7
|Jun low C = 8.7
|Jul low C = 11.6
|Aug low C = 9.8
|Sep low C = 4.2
|Oct low C = -2.4
|Nov low C = -10.9
|Dec low C = -19.4
|year low C = -4.7

|Jan record low C = -55.0
|Feb record low C = -56.7
|Mar record low C = -45.6
|Apr record low C = -33.9
|May record low C = -16.1
|Jun record low C = -4.4
|Jul record low C = 0.6
|Aug record low C = -5.6
|Sep record low C = -15.6
|Oct record low C = -26.1
|Nov record low C = -45.0
|Dec record low C = -49.4
|year record low C = -56.7

|Jan chill = -59.7
|Feb chill = -57.9
|Mar chill = -50.0
|Apr chill = -43.1
|May chill = -18.3
|Jun chill = -9.2
|Jul chill = 0.0
|Aug chill = -3.2
|Sep chill = -16.0
|Oct chill = -28.2
|Nov chill = -49.7
|Dec chill = -54.1
|year chill = -59.7

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 18.6
|Feb precipitation mm = 11.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 14.5
|Apr precipitation mm = 27.7
|May precipitation mm = 43.1
|Jun precipitation mm = 86.4
|Jul precipitation mm = 77.2
|Aug precipitation mm = 50.4
|Sep precipitation mm = 41.9
|Oct precipitation mm = 29.7
|Nov precipitation mm = 16.0
|Dec precipitation mm = 15.5
|year precipitation mm = 432.3

|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 0.3
|Feb rain mm = 0.1
|Mar rain mm = 1.7
|Apr rain mm = 19.2
|May rain mm = 40.3
|Jun rain mm = 86.4
|Jul rain mm = 79.0
|Aug rain mm = 51.2
|Sep rain mm = 41.5
|Oct rain mm = 21.6
|Nov rain mm = 2.5
|Dec rain mm = 0.6
|year rain mm = 344.3

|snow colour = green
|Jan snow cm = 23.4
|Feb snow cm = 14.4
|Mar snow cm = 15.3
|Apr snow cm = 10.2
|May snow cm = 2.1
|Jun snow cm = 0.0
|Jul snow cm = 0.0
|Aug snow cm = 0.0
|Sep snow cm = 0.3
|Oct snow cm = 9.9
|Nov snow cm = 16.1
|Dec snow cm = 19.9
|year snow cm = 111.5

|unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 10.6
|Feb precipitation days = 7.6
|Mar precipitation days = 7.6
|Apr precipitation days = 8.7
|May precipitation days = 10.0
|Jun precipitation days = 13.3
|Jul precipitation days = 13.7
|Aug precipitation days = 10.0
|Sep precipitation days = 9.4
|Oct precipitation days = 9.4
|Nov precipitation days = 8.4
|Dec precipitation days = 9.5
|year precipitation days = 118.4

|unit rain days = 0.2 mm
|Jan rain days = 0.5
|Feb rain days = 0.3
|Mar rain days = 2.0
|Apr rain days = 6.1
|May rain days = 9.9
|Jun rain days = 13.3
|Jul rain days = 13.8
|Aug rain days = 10.1
|Sep rain days = 9.2
|Oct rain days = 7.3
|Nov rain days = 1.2
|Dec rain days = 0.6
|year rain days= 74.2

|unit snow days = 0.2 cm
|Jan snow days = 11.7
|Feb snow days = 9.1
|Mar snow days = 7.1
|Apr snow days = 4.3
|May snow days = 0.9
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.3
|Oct snow days = 2.8
|Nov snow days = 8.0
|Dec snow days = 11.1
|year snow days = 55.3

|humidity colour = green
|time day = 15:00 LST
|Jan humidity = 70.0
|Feb humidity = 65.5
|Mar humidity = 60.4
|Apr humidity = 47.4
|May humidity = 40.9
|Jun humidity = 51.0
|Jul humidity = 54.1
|Aug humidity = 50.8
|Sep humidity = 51.0
|Oct humidity = 58.3
|Nov humidity = 71.3
|Dec humidity = 73.8
|year humidity = 57.9

|Jan sun = 93.9
|Feb sun = 126.5
|Mar sun = 175.9
|Apr sun = 225.1
|May sun = 269.2
|Jun sun = 275.0
|Jul sun = 297.7
|Aug sun = 289.7
|Sep sun = 187.1
|Oct sun = 136.1
|Nov sun = 78.0
|Dec sun = 74.7
|year sun = 2229.0

|Jan percentsun = 37.2
|Feb percentsun = 45.7
|Mar percentsun = 47.9
|Apr percentsun = 53.8
|May percentsun = 54.8
|Jun percentsun = 54.3
|Jul percentsun = 58.5
|Aug percentsun = 63.3
|Sep percentsun = 49.0
|Oct percentsun = 41.3
|Nov percentsun = 29.9
|Dec percentsun = 31.6
|year percentsun = 47.3

|source 1 = [[Environment and Climate Change Canada]] (sun 1981–2010)<ref name=CCN >{{cite web
| url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=3322&lang=e&dCode=1&province=SASK&provBut=Go&month1=0&month2=12
| title = Prince Albert A
| work = Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010
| publisher = [[Environment and Climate Change Canada]]
| access-date = May 14, 2014| date = September 25, 2013
}}</ref><ref name=CCN2>{{cite web
| url = https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1991_2020_e.html?searchType=stnName_1991&txtStationName_1991=prince+albert&searchMethod=contains&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=261000000&dispBack=1
| title = Prince Albert
| work = Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020
| publisher = Environment and Climate Change Canada
| access-date = 15 April 2024
| date = 30 January 2024
}}</ref><ref name="Prince Albert (1884−1942)">
{{cite web
| publisher = Environment and Climate Change Canada
| url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=prince+albert&searchMethod=contains&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&optLimit=specDate&Year=1884&Month=9&Day=1&selRowPerPage=25
| title = Prince Albert (1884−1942)
| work = Canadian Climate Data
| access-date = 26 June 2016|date = October 31, 2011}}</ref><ref name="February 1893"/><ref name="July 1941"/>
|date=March 9, 2013
}}

== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations
|title       = Historical populations
|type        = Canada
|align       = right
|width       =
|state       =
|shading     =
|percentages =
|footnote    =
|1901|1785
|[[Canada 1911 Census|1911]]|6254
|1921|7558
|1931|9905
|1941|12299
|1951|17149
|1961|24168
|1971|28464
|1981|31380
|1991|34181
|[[Canada 1996 Census|1996]]|34771
|[[Canada 2001 Census|2001]]|34291
|[[Canada 2006 Census|2006]]|34138
|[[Canada 2011 Census|2011]]|35129
|[[Canada 2016 Census|2016]]|35926
|[[Canada 2021 Census|2021]]|37756
}}

In the [[2021 Canadian census]] conducted by [[Statistics Canada]], Prince Albert had a population of 37,756 living in 14,308 of its 15,490 total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:37756-35926}}|35926|1}} from its 2016 population of {{val|35926|fmt=commas}}. With a land area of {{cvt|67.17|km2}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|37756|67.17|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.<ref name=2021census>{{cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Prince%20Albert&DGUIDlist=2021A00054715066,2021S0504745,2021S05100678&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 | title=Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Profile table - Prince Albert, City (CY): Saskatchewan ;[Census subdivision]; Prince Albert: Saskatchewan [Census agglomeration]; Prince Albert: Saskatchewan [Population centre] | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | date=February 1, 2023 | access-date=April 15, 2024}}</ref>
{{Canada census
 |location = Prince Albert
 |2021_population=37,756 | 2021_pop_delta=+5.1  | 2021_land_area=67.17 | 2021_pop_density=562.1
 |2021_median_age=35.2 | 2021_median_age_m=33.2 | 2021_median_age_f=36.8
 |2021_total_pvt_dwell=14,305 |2021_mean_hh_income= |2021_geocode=2021A00054715066 | 2021_access_date=2022-04-27
|2011_population=35,129
|2011_pop_delta=+2.9
|2011_land_area=65.74
|2011_pop_density=534.4
|2011_median_age= 34.7
|2011_median_age_m= 32.8
|2011_median_age_f=36.4
|2011_total_pvt_dwell=14,779
|2011_total_pvt_dwell_usual=13,637
|2011_mean_hh_income=
|2011_access_date=6 May 2012
|2006_population=34,138
|2006_pop_delta=-0.4
|2006_land_area=65.68
|2006_pop_density=519.7
|2006_median_age=35.4
|2006_median_age_m=33.5
|2006_median_age_f=36.8
|2006_total_pvt_dwell=14,029
|2006_total_pvt_dwell_usual=13,240
|2006_mean_hh_income=53,083
|2006_access_date=2009-02-24
|2001_population=34,291
|2001_pop_delta=-1.4
|2001_land_area=65.76
|2001_pop_density=521.5
|2001_median_age=33.5
|2001_median_age_m=31.9
|2001_median_age_f=35.0
|2001_total_pvt_dwell=13,763
|2001_mean_hh_income=39,862
|2001_access_date=2011-07-16}}

For residents over the age of 25 years, 82.7% have a high school diploma (or equivalent), 55.3% have a post-secondary degree; and 17.3% have no certificate, diploma, or degree.

=== Ethnicity ===
Prince Albert has one of the highest Aboriginal population ratios for any Canadian city, at 44.65%.
{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable"
|+ [[Panethnicity|Panethnic]] groups in the City of Prince Albert (2001−2021)
! rowspan="2" |[[Panethnicity|Panethnic]] group
! colspan="2" |2021<ref name="2021censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-10-26 |title= Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Prince%20Albert&DGUIDlist=2021A00054715066&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1,4&HEADERlist=0 |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2016<ref name="2016censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2021-10-27 |title= Census Profile, 2016 Census |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4715066&Geo2=CD&Code2=4715&SearchText=Prince%20Albert&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1&type=0 |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2011<ref name="2011censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2015-11-27 |title= NHS Profile |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4715066&Data=Count&SearchText=Prince%20Albert&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2006<ref name="2006censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-08-20 |title= 2006 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4715066&Geo2=PR&Code2=47&Data=Count&SearchText=Prince%20Albert&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2001<ref name="2001censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-07-02 |title= 2001 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4715066&Geo2=PR&Code2=47&Data=Count&SearchText=Prince%20Albert&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Indigenous]]
| 16,120
| {{Percentage | 16120 | 36105 | 2 }}
| 14,830
| {{Percentage | 14830 | 34945 | 2 }}
| 13,930
| {{Percentage | 13930 | 34270 | 2 }}
| 12,140
| {{Percentage | 12140 | 33445 | 2 }}
| 10,180
| {{Percentage | 10180 | 33430 | 2 }}
|-
| [[European Canadians|European]]{{efn|Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.|name=euro}}
| 15,765
| {{Percentage | 15765 | 36105 | 2 }}
| 17,280
| {{Percentage | 17280 | 34945 | 2 }}
| 19,210
| {{Percentage | 19210 | 34270 | 2 }}
| 20,420
| {{Percentage | 20420 | 33445 | 2 }}
| 22,640
| {{Percentage | 22640 | 33430 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Southeast Asia]]n{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.|name=SoutheastAsian}}
| 1,750
| {{Percentage | 1750 | 36105 | 2 }}
| 1,250
| {{Percentage | 1250 | 34945 | 2 }}
| 395
| {{Percentage | 395 | 34270 | 2 }}
| 115
| {{Percentage | 115 | 33445 | 2 }}
| 140
| {{Percentage | 140 | 33430 | 2 }}
|-
| [[South Asian Canadians|South Asian]]
| 1,045
| {{Percentage | 1045 | 36105 | 2 }}
| 660
| {{Percentage | 660 | 34945 | 2 }}
| 170
| {{Percentage | 170 | 34270 | 2 }}
| 165
| {{Percentage | 165 | 33445 | 2 }}
| 100
| {{Percentage | 100 | 33430 | 2 }}
|-
| [[African-Canadian|African]]
| 805
| {{Percentage | 805 | 36105 | 2 }}
| 475
| {{Percentage | 475 | 34945 | 2 }}
| 190
| {{Percentage | 190 | 34270 | 2 }}
| 165
| {{Percentage | 165 | 33445 | 2 }}
| 120
| {{Percentage | 120 | 33430 | 2 }}
|-
| [[East Asian Canadians|East Asian]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.|name=EastAsian}}
| 210
| {{Percentage | 210 | 36105 | 2 }}
| 180
| {{Percentage | 180 | 34945 | 2 }}
| 235
| {{Percentage | 235 | 34270 | 2 }}
| 250
| {{Percentage | 250 | 33445 | 2 }}
| 115
| {{Percentage | 115 | 33430 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Middle Eastern Canadians|Middle Eastern]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.|name=MiddleEastern}}
| 170
| {{Percentage | 170 | 36105 | 2 }}
| 120
| {{Percentage | 120 | 34945 | 2 }}
| 35
| {{Percentage | 35 | 34270 | 2 }}
| 95
| {{Percentage | 95 | 33445 | 2 }}
| 15
| {{Percentage | 15 | 33430 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Latin American Canadians|Latin American]]
| 155
| {{Percentage | 155 | 36105 | 2 }}
| 75
| {{Percentage | 75 | 34945 | 2 }}
| 50
| {{Percentage | 50 | 34270 | 2 }}
| 85
| {{Percentage | 85 | 33445 | 2 }}
| 100
| {{Percentage | 100 | 33430 | 2 }}
|-
| Other/[[Multiracial people|multiracial]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, {{abbr|n.i.e.|not included elsewhere}}" and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.|name=Other}}
| 60
| {{Percentage | 60 | 36105 | 2 }}
| 90
| {{Percentage | 90 | 34945 | 2 }}
| 0
| {{Percentage | 0 | 34270 | 2 }}
| 10
| {{Percentage | 10 | 33445 | 2 }}
| 20
| {{Percentage | 20 | 33430 | 2 }}
|-
! Total responses
! 36,105
! {{Percentage | 36105 | 37756 | 2 }}
! 34,945
! {{Percentage | 34945 | 35926 | 2 }}
! 34,270
! {{Percentage | 34270 | 35129 | 2 }}
! 33,445
! {{Percentage | 33445 | 34138 | 2 }}
! 33,430
! {{Percentage | 33430 | 34291 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
! Total population
! 37,756
! {{Percentage | 37756 | 37756 | 2 }}
! 35,926
! {{Percentage | 35926 | 35926 | 2 }}
! 35,129
! {{Percentage | 35129 | 35129 | 2 }}
! 34,138
! {{Percentage | 34138 | 34138 | 2 }}
! 34,291
! {{Percentage | 34291 | 34291 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="11" | {{small|Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses}}
|}

=== Religion ===
As of the 2021 Census, 58.8% of residents identified as [[Christianity|Christian]] of any denomination, and 36.1% identified as having no religion or having secular beliefs.<ref name="2021censusB" />{{efn|Based on 25% sample data}}

==Economy==
Prince Albert is situated on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, with rich agricultural land to the south and the [[boreal forest]] to the north. Although Prince Albert is centrally located in Saskatchewan, it is the second most northerly city in the province after [[Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan|Meadow Lake]]. This physical location has led to the creation of the slogan "Gateway to the North".

After being established as a mission centre, the main impetus for growth was speculation that the Transcontinental Railway would travel north from the Red River Valley along Hind's fertile belt through to [[Edmonton]].<ref name="trail"/> When the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] chose a more southerly route, Prince Albert's growth collapsed:<ref name="CA"/> {{Blockquote|By 1914, Prince Albert had become the terminus of four railway branch lines. However, neither the Hudson Bay and Pacific or the Canadian Northern had started any line to the north. In all, the city had not become the great gateway to north as it had planned.|City of Prince Albert Website<ref name="Pen"/>}}

[[Image:La Colle Falls hydroelectric power - R-A1796-2.jpeg|thumb|The La Colle Falls hydroelectric power dam under construction in 1916.]]
The La Colle Falls hydroelectric power dam project was an attempt to provide affordable electricity to attract industry<ref>{{cite web| title = Saskatchewan Settlement Experience| work = Saskatchewan Archives Board| year = 2005| url = http://www.sasksettlement.com/slideshow.php?cat=1910-1920&subcat=Slide%20Show| access-date = March 16, 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110716010314/http://www.sasksettlement.com/slideshow.php?cat=1910-1920&subcat=Slide%20Show| archive-date = July 16, 2011}}</ref> By 1927, the project was abandoned as the city was close to bankruptcy. In 1945, [[Prince Albert National Park]] was established, and the tourism sector helped to again revive Prince Albert's economy.<ref name="CA"/>

The city's location has benefited the community in many ways through the years as an agriculture, forestry, tourism, mining, retail, and service centre for the immediate market and the northern communities. Prince Albert has a total trade area of 140,000 people, including an additional 12,000 that can be included if [[Flin Flon]] and [[The Pas]] are accounted for. The major contributing factor to this is the role of Prince Albert as a retail and service centre to these northern communities.<ref name="Pen"/>

There are a number of major developments that are happening around Prince Albert. [[Diamond mining|Diamond exploration]] is currently occurring east of the city in the [[Fort à la Corne]] region and it is expected a mine may go up around 2010–2011.<ref name="SaskBiz">{{cite web
 | title = prince albert (sic)
 | work=Sask Biz
 | publisher=Government of Saskatchewan
 | url = http://www.saskbiz.ca/communityprofiles/CommunityProfile.Asp?CommunityID=8
 | access-date = March 16, 2008}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=October 2018}}

In addition to diamond prospects, [[Bio-fuels]] are also playing a significant role to the area. The Prince Albert region is one of the richest areas in the province for agriculture, and with the current emphasis on bio-fuel technology from the provincial and federal governments, it is expected that this economic sector will grow. [[Uranium]] is also expected to play a bigger role in the future development of Prince Albert. There is speculation that, due to the proximity the uranium mining in northern Saskatchewan, the area could be ideal for a [[value-added]] type of business.

[[File:Prince Albert Court House.jpg|thumb|[[Prince Albert Court House]]]]
Prince Albert is still heavily reliant on its government service sector, which accounts for about 11% of the workforce. There are three prisons, the Prince Albert Correctional Centre, Pine Grove Correctional Centre, and the [[Saskatchewan Federal Penitentiary]].

Chief Joseph Custer, Kistapinanihk 231, Northern Lights 220, [[Muskoday First Nation|Muskoday 99]] and Wahpeton 94B Indian Reserves are within {{cvt|20|km}} of the city.<ref name="Geo"/>

The [[forestry]] industry is also a major contributor to the economy of Prince Albert. Prince Albert currently hosts the Provincial Forestry Centre, a building that hosts significant wood and forestry related types of businesses and associations.

Prince Albert Pulp Company had been the area's largest employer since it opened in 1968.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://library.usask.ca/sni/stories/beg32.html|title=Top News Stories-Beginnings and Landmarks (Giant Sask. mill opened) page 50|author=Mel Hinds|date=October 11, 1968|work=Regina Leader Post}}</ref><ref name="CA">{{Cite book
 | last = Brennan
 | first = J. William
 | contribution = Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
 | year = c. 1981
 | title = The Canadian Encyclopedia
 | editor-last = Marsh
 | editor-first = James H.
 | volume = Pat-Z
 | page = 1474
 | place = Edmonton, Alberta
 | publisher=Hurtig Publishers
 | isbn =0-88830-269-X
 }}</ref> The mill was closed down in 2006 by its then owner, [[Weyerhaeuser]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paherald.sk.ca/News/Local/2013-09-03/article-3373540/Rail-traffic-faces-boost-with-pulp-mill-re-opening/1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911223740/http://www.paherald.sk.ca/News/Local/2013-09-03/article-3373540/Rail-traffic-faces-boost-with-pulp-mill-re-opening/1|archive-date=2013-09-11|title=Rail traffic faces boost with pulp mill re-opening|work=paherald.sk.ca}}</ref> The mill was subsequently sold. Paper Excellence purchased the long-closed down Prince Albert Pulp Inc. from [[Domtar]] in April 2011 with plans to operate a dissolving pulp mill producing 1,000 tonnes per day employing about 250 people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://paperexcellence.com/fact-sheet/prince-albert-pulp/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008022025/http://www.paperexcellence.com/prince-albert-pulp/|title=Prince Albert Pulp|archive-date=October 8, 2012}}</ref> The pulp mill was shut down indefinitely and 42 employees laid off on August 29, 2014.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

==Attractions==
[[File:Prince Albert Saskatchewan in fall 03.JPG|thumb|Prince Albert Historical Museum]]
[[File:Prince Albert Saskatchewan in fall 04.JPG|thumb|Prince Albert Arts Centre]]
{{See also|List of historic places in Prince Albert}}
There are three historical museums in Prince Albert. The combined [[The Evolution of Education Museum]] and [[Rotary Museum of Police and Corrections]] are located at the tourist information centre just off of [[Saskatchewan Highway 2|Highway #2 South]]. The second museum, the [[Historical Society Museum]], is located in an old Fire Hall at the north end of Central Avenue on River Street. The John G. Diefenbaker House is a historic site open to the public and is found on 249 19th Street West. The Prince Albert Heritage Museum (c. 1911) is a Municipal Heritage Property on the Canadian Register of Historic Places.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historicplaces.ca/visit-visite/affichage-display.aspx?id=4950|title=HistoricPlaces.ca - Recherche|work=historicplaces.ca|access-date=January 3, 2017}}</ref>

Across from the Historical Society Museum is the site of Diefenbaker's constituency office that is not open to the public. Among the other heritage, historic and protected sites of Prince Albert are the Blockhouse from the 1885 Rebellion & First Presbyterian Church/School, Historic St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Honeywood (Dr. A.J. Porter) Heritage Nursery, [[Keyhole Castle]], [[LaColle Falls Hydroelectric Dam]], Oldest Downtown Store, [[Prince Albert Arts Centre]] and The Cathedral Church of St. Alban the Martyr (Anglican).<ref name="old">{{cite web
 |title=Tourism Prince Albert Attractions
 |year=2008
|url=http://www.patourism.ca/directory_detail.aspx?id=41
 |access-date=2008-03-16
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306071723/http://www.patourism.ca/directory_detail.aspx?id=41
 |archive-date=March 6, 2008
 
 |df=mdy}}</ref> Sacred Heart Cathedral (Roman Catholic) near the downtown area was built in 1914 in the Romanesque style. It contains paintings by [[Berthold Imhoff]].<ref name="Sacred Heart">{{cite web | url=http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/roman_catholic_cathedrals.html | title=Roman Catholic Cathedrals | publisher=Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan | work=Canadian Plains Research Center (University of Regina) | date=2006 | access-date=15 July 2015 | author=Margaret Sanche | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105649/http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/roman_catholic_cathedrals.html | archive-date=March 4, 2016  }}</ref> The Institute for Stained Glass in Canada has documented the stained glass of six buildings in Prince Albert.<ref name="stained glass">{{cite web | url=http://www.stainedglasscanada.ca/city.php?city=Prince%20Albert | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701002316/http://www.stainedglasscanada.ca/city.php?city=Prince%20Albert  | archive-date=July 1, 2009 | title=Institute for Stained Glass in Canada (Prince Albert) | access-date=15 July 2015 }}</ref>

Other points of interest include:
* The [[St. Louis Light]], a commonly visited, supposedly paranormal, phenomenon occurring south of the city.
* [[Fort de la Corne]], a short distance east from Prince Albert, is the furthest westward post of the French Empire in North America (see [[New France]]).
* The Prince Albert Sanatorium, completed in 1930 and treated tuberculosis patients.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clark |first=Keitha |title=Prince Albert Patriot Website |publisher=David Krahn |date=2004–2005 |url=http://www.jmcpl.ca/patriot/timelinef.html |access-date=2008-03-16  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706183850/http://www.jmcpl.ca/patriot/timelinef.html |archive-date=July 6, 2011 }}</ref>
* The Buckland Wildlife Management Unit, located within {{cvt|4|km}} of the city.<ref name="Geo">{{cite web
 | title = Querying Geographical Names of Canada
 | work = Natural Resources Canada
 | publisher = Government of Canada
 | date = December 28, 2007
 | url = http://geonames2.nrcan.gc.ca/cgi-bin/v9/within_radius_v9?english
 | access-date = May 22, 2009
 }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* [[Kinsmen Ski and Snowboard Centre]] at Little Red River Park<ref>{{cite web |title=Kinsmen Ski and Snowboard Centre |url=https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/listings/2170/kinsmen-ski-and-snowboard-centre |website=Tourism Saskatchewan |publisher=Government of Saskatchewan |access-date=10 March 2024}}</ref>

==Sports and recreation==
{{see also|List of festivals in Saskatchewan}}
<!--There is more to sports in PA than hockey-->
The city is home to the [[Prince Albert Raiders]] of the [[Western Hockey League]]. The Raiders, who won the [[Memorial Cup]] in [[List of Memorial Cup champions|1985]], play in the 3,571-seat [[Art Hauser Centre]].<ref name="Raiders">{{cite web
 |title=Official Website of Prince Albert Raiders: Featured Stories
 |year=2008
 |url=http://www.raiderhockey.com/news/features/index.html?article_id=6
 |access-date=March 16, 2008
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307160523/http://www.raiderhockey.com/news/features/index.html?article_id=6
 |archive-date=March 7, 2008
 
 |df=mdy
}}</ref> The city is also home to the [[Prince Albert Mintos]] of the [[Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League]]. They won the [[2006 Telus Cup|2006]], [[2007 Telus Cup|2007]] and [[2014 Telus Cup]]. They also play in the Art Hauser Centre.<ref name="Mintos">{{cite web
 | title = Coupe Telus Cup (All-time champions)
 | url = http://cdn.agilitycms.com/hockey-canada/National-Championships/Men/National-Midget/Subsite-Assets/TELUS_cup_guide_record_book.pdf
 | access-date = 2015-05-18
 | archive-date = February 14, 2015
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150214222324/http://cdn.agilitycms.com/hockey-canada/National-Championships/Men/National-Midget/Subsite-Assets/TELUS_cup_guide_record_book.pdf
 
 }}</ref>

Prince Albert was the host for the following notable sporting events:
* 1993 [[North American Indigenous Games]]
* [[2018 Junior Men's Softball World Championship|2018 U-18 Men's Softball World Cup]].
* The city will be the host for the [[2025 Men's Softball World Cup]], with the group stage taking place in July 2024 and finals in July 2025. The competition will be held at Prime Minister's Park.<ref>{{cite web |title=Prince Albert to host WBSC Men's Softball World Cup in 2024 and 2025! |url=https://www.citypa.ca/en/news/prince-albert-to-host-wbsc-men-s-softball-world-cup-in-2024-and-2025.aspx |website=City of Prince Albert |date=January 10, 2023 |access-date=6 April 2023}}</ref>

* 11th Saskatchewan Winter Games Feb 16th- 22nd, 2014. The Prince Albert community brought together a volunteer workforce and hosted over 1800 amateur athletes from 9 districts in Saskatchewan

==Government==
{{see also|Prince Albert City Council}}

==Infrastructure==
<!--hospitals, energy, fire, police protection, neighbourhood planning-->
The first hospital was constructed in 1899, followed by a maternity home built in 1945 which lasted approximately twelve years.<ref name="AtlasSK"/>{{Rp|63}}

===Bridges===
[[File:Prince Albert Saskatchewan in fall 02.JPG|thumb|left|The Diefenbaker Bridge at Prince Albert]]
At present,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lozinski |first=Peter |date=2020-09-30 |title=NDP promise new bridge and new hospital for Prince Albert |url=https://paherald.sk.ca/ndp-promise-new-bridge-and-new-hospital-for-prince-albert/ |access-date=2022-12-18 |website=Prince Albert Daily Herald}}</ref> only a single road bridge, the [[Diefenbaker Bridge]], connects the north and south shore in Prince Albert; this bridge is also the only river crossing connecting southern and northern Saskatchewan in the immediate vicinity (one needs to drive many kilometres to the east or west to find another).

This has long been a subject of concern in the region, especially in light of a partial closure of the bridge in August 2011 that occurred when cracks were found during an inspection.<ref>{{cite news
|url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/crack-in-girder-closes-part-of-p-a-bridge-1.1053708
|title = Crack in girder closes part of P.A. bridge
|work = [[CBC News]]
|publisher = [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]
|date = August 30, 2011
|access-date = 2013-01-20}}</ref>

===Historic trails===
In 1866, Prince Albert was established as a mission post, and a trail to [[Fort Carlton, Saskatchewan|Fort Carlton]] arose. This trail connected the growing community to the [[Carlton Trail]], the main land transportation route in Western Canada of the 19th century. The trail followed along the current [[Lily Plain]] grid road in Saskatchewan to the ferry service at Lilly Plain post office.

The [[Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan|Qu'Appelle (Troy)]] – Prince Albert Trail was in use from 1883 transporting mail and freight goods from the rail depot at [[Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan|Qu'Appelle]] across the ferry at [[St. Louis, Saskatchewan|St. Louis]] to Prince Albert.<ref name="trail">{{Cite book
 | last = Shillington
 | first = C. Howard
 | page = 141 and 145
 | title = Historic Land Trails of Saskatchewan
 | place = West Vancouver, BC
 | publisher=Evvard Publications
 | year =1985
 | isbn =0-9692565-0-7
 }}</ref>
Besides these two trails, Prince Albert was also served by the [[Montreal Lake (Saskatchewan)|Montreal Lake]]–PA, [[Green Lake, Saskatchewan|Green Lake]]–PA, and [[Fort à la Corne]]–PA trails.<ref name="Atlas of Saskatchewan"/>{{Rp|11}}

===Railways===
{{more citations needed|section|date=October 2017}}<!--Canadian National and Carlton subsections have no references-->

====Canadian Northern and Grand Trunk Pacific====
[[File:Former CN Yard, Prince Albert, SK.jpg|thumb|Former [[Canadian National Railway|CN]] Rail Yard, now used by [[Carlton Trail Railway]]]]
[[Qu'Appelle, Long Lake and Saskatchewan Railroad and Steamboat Company]] (QLSRSC) arrived in Prince Albert in October 1890 as a means to link the three major cities of Saskatchewan through one railroad. For the next few years the line was seldom used, and in order to raise capital, QLSRSC leased the line out to the Canadian Pacific Railway.<ref>{{cite web | title = QLSRSC | url = http://railways-atlas.tapor.ualberta.ca/cocoon/atlas/Chapters-7-3/ | access-date = 2009-05-25  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080919052416/http://railways-atlas.tapor.ualberta.ca/cocoon/atlas/Chapters-7-3/ | archive-date = September 19, 2008 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Canadian Pacific soon realized the economic uncertainty of the line, and the lease was cancelled after only a few years of service.{{When|date=January 2017}}

By 1906, less than twenty years after the line was completed, it was sold to the [[Canadian Northern Railway]] (CNoR). Canadian Northern also crossed the North Saskatchewan River, heading west towards Shellbrook. Prince Albert was slated to become a northern hub for rail service into the north, however with little economic activity in the area, no branch lines were ever extended into the north except for the Paddockwood spur, which was subsequently abandoned during the 1990s as a grain-dependent branch line.

[[Grand Trunk Pacific]] (GTP) also serviced Prince Albert through a branch line that headed north from [[Young, Saskatchewan|Young]], through St. Louis and North into Prince Albert. Later both the CNoR and GTP were nationalized, eventually becoming the Canadian National Railway (CN).<ref>{{cite web | title = Grand Trunk Pacific | url = http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/grand_trunk_pacific_railway.html | access-date = 2008-12-26 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110917104529/http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/grand_trunk_pacific_railway.html | archive-date = September 17, 2011  }}</ref>

====Canadian National and Canadian Pacific====
For years the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] and [[Canadian National Railway]] dominated the city of Prince Albert, operating on both sides of 15th Street. The Canadian Pacific Railway branched off at Lanigan moving north up to Hagen, then under trackage rights with CN, and curved towards the northeast end of Prince Albert. This was CPR's principal northern site, with many of the branch lines feeding back to Prince Albert. These branch lines almost entirely served lumber mills and grain elevators as principal commodities.

In 1991 CPR decided to shut down rail line operations in Prince Albert and the surrounding area. CPR sold the Meadow Lake line to CN, and abandoned the Meath Park branch up to [[Choiceland, Saskatchewan|Choiceland]]. Many small CN branch lines extended past Prince Albert hauling primarily grain, but proved ineffective due to larger and more accessible grain elevators. As a result, many were abandoned through the 1990s. Lines that have been abandoned include the Paddockwood Spur (CN), CPR to Meath Park, CPR to Lanigan, CN to [[Shellbrook, Saskatchewan|Shellbrook]], and CN to [[St. Louis, Saskatchewan|St. Louis]]. As grain storage and sorting technology improved over the years, a state of the art Inland elevator was built, located north of Prince Albert. This facility was owned by [[Saskatchewan Wheat Pool]], later succeeded by Viterra. The smaller elevator located in the CN yards&nbsp;— owned by [[United Grain Growers]], later acquired by [[Agricore United]] which was also succeeded by Viterra&nbsp;— operated in Prince Albert until Viterra announced its cease of operations on April 1, 2008. Today, only the Inland terminal owned by [[Viterra]], located in White Star, continues to operate.

In December 1997, CN announced the branch line was up for sale due to lack of productivity. The engines primarily used by CN at the time were [[EMD GMD1|GMD1]]s for short haul and yard shunting, and [[EMD SD40-2W]]/[[EMD SD40-2]]s for long-haul trips. CP utilized switchers due in part to the light rail on many of their branch lines. These switchers were manufactured by Montreal Locomotive Works (Bombardier) and were designated as RS-23.

====Carlton Trail Railway====
[[File:CrossingtheNorthSaskatchewan.JPG|thumb|Carlton Trail Railway locomotive crossing the North Saskatchewan at Prince Albert]]
OmniTRAX, an American shortline railway company, bought the former [[Canadian National Railway|CN]] line and named it [[Carlton Trail Railway]] (CTRW or CTR). Currently, [[Carlton Trail Railway]] resides in the old CN yard, storing tank cars for CN, transporting grain, and refurbishing diesel engines for other [[OmniTRAX]] lines. Carlton Trail has recently discussed abandoning several parts of the shortline due to increasing costs and poor track condition. The Railroad bridge in Prince Albert had the ability to turn in on itself to allow ferry ships to pass through.<ref>{{cite web| title = Carlton Trail Abandonment| url = http://www.citypa.ca/Portals/0/PDF2/News_Releases/2008/2008%2011%2005%20-%20Carlton%20Trail%20Railway%20Meeting.pdf| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090327120431/http://www.citypa.ca/Portals/0/PDF2/News_Releases/2008/2008%2011%2005%20-%20Carlton%20Trail%20Railway%20Meeting.pdf| archive-date = 2009-03-27| access-date =2008-12-27}}</ref> In 2001 CTRW announced the abandonment of the Birch Hills branch line, but the city of Prince Albert intervened, citing the possibility of an ethanol plant. In 2008 Carlton Trail announced the Meadow Lake line would be abandoned by April 1, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Meadow Lake Track Abandonment |url=http://www.meadowlakeprogress.com/PrintArticle.aspx?e=1264806 |access-date=2008-12-27  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714063727/http://www.meadowlakeprogress.com/PrintArticle.aspx?e=1264806 |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }}</ref> Carlton Trail primarily operates EMD [[GP10]]s for switching and long-haul transport.

===Highways===
Prince Albert is located on [[Saskatchewan Highway 2|SK 2]], [[Saskatchewan Highway 3|SK 3]], [[Saskatchewan Highway 11|SK 11]], [[Saskatchewan Highway 55|SK 55]], and [[Saskatchewan Highway 302|SK 302]]. Prince Albert demarks the change of name for SK&nbsp;2. The stretch of Highway 2 from [[Moose Jaw]] to Prince Albert was designated in 2005 as Veterans Memorial Highway. The renaming coincided with Veterans Week 2005.<ref>{{cite web| last =Government of Saskatchewan| title =Highway 2 Designated "Veterans Memorial Highway"| url =http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=3d1bbddc-2089-413b-a48b-d8ae38d468be| access-date =2007-07-20 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110610230921/http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=3d1bbddc-2089-413b-a48b-d8ae38d468be| archive-date =June 10, 2011| df =mdy-all}}</ref> {{cvt|176.3|mi|order=flip}} of Saskatchewan Highway 2 contribute to the [[CanAm Highway]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Western Canada Group Travel Planner: Getting to Western Canada |date=1999–2003 |url=http://www.grouptravelplanner.net/WesternCanada/GettingHere/ |access-date=February 17, 2008  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070919001049/http://www.grouptravelplanner.net/WesternCanada/GettingHere/ |archive-date=September 19, 2007 }}</ref> between Prince Albert and [[La Ronge, Saskatchewan|La Ronge]].<ref name="Micro">{{Cite map
 |publisher=Microsoft Corp.
 |title= Microsoft Streets and Tips
 |edition=2004
 |section=Route Planner
}}</ref> The [[CanAm Highway|CanAm highway]] south of Prince Albert is designated on [[Saskatchewan Highway 3|SK 3]] between [[Melfort, Saskatchewan|Melfort]] and Prince Albert.<ref name="Micro"/> [[Saskatchewan Highway 11|SK 11]] connects Saskatchewan's three largest cities: [[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]], [[Saskatoon]], and Prince Albert. On June 20, 2001, the entire length of SK 11 was re-named the Louis Riel Trail at a ceremony which took place at the Duck Lake Regional Interpretive Centre. The Louis Riel Trail connects major sites of the 1885 [[North-West Rebellion]].<ref name="LRT">{{cite web
 | title =Louis Riel Trail&nbsp;— Saskatchewan, Canada
 | work=Louis Riel Trail Association.
 | publisher=M.R. Internet
 | year = 2003
 | url =http://louisrieltrail.ca/
 | access-date = December 30, 2007}}</ref>

===Transit===
[[Prince Albert Transit]] is the local city bus service. Prince Albert Transit currently provides service only to the south shore portion of the city.

===Air transport===
[[Prince Albert (Glass Field) Airport|Glass Field Airport]] has regular flights to Saskatoon and Regina and serves as an access point to communities and mining operations north of Prince Albert. Many residents of Prince Albert commute to Saskatoon for flights to further destinations.

==Education==
{{see also|Prince Albert Indian Residential School}}
Anglican Bishop John McLean opened Emmanuel College on November 1, 1879, the first university of the [[District of Saskatchewan]]. A federal act later incorporated Emmanuel College into the University of Saskatchewan. Emmanuel College moved to [[Saskatoon]] in 1907 to become a part of the provincial [[University of Saskatchewan]], following the inception of Saskatchewan as a province in 1905.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clark |first=Keitha |title=Education Capitol |work=Prince Albert Patriot Website |publisher=David Krahn |date=2004–2005 |url=http://www.jmcpl.ca/patriot/timelinei.html |access-date=March 16, 2008  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706183839/http://www.jmcpl.ca/patriot/timelinei.html |archive-date=July 6, 2011 }}</ref>

The Saskatchewan Rivers School Division operates 33 schools<ref>{{cite web
 | title = Saskatchewan Rivers School Division
 | url = http://www.srsd119.ca/
 }}</ref> and the Prince Albert Catholic School Division operates nine schools.
The city has five high schools. St. Mary High School, and Rivier Academy (private, co-ed) are part of the [[Prince Albert Catholic School Division]], while Carlton Comprehensive High School (largest high school in Saskatchewan), Wesmor (Acronym of the rural elementary schools Wildrose, East Central, Spruce Home, Meath Park, Osborne, and Redwing), and P.A.C.I (Prince Albert Collegiate Institute) are in the [[Saskatchewan Rivers School Division]].
École Valois offers preschool to grade 12 and is the only Francophone school in Prince Albert.

Post-secondary schools found in Prince Albert include the Woodland campus of [[Saskatchewan Polytechnic]] (formerly Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology) and extension campuses for both the [[University of Regina]] and the University of Saskatchewan. Prince Albert is home to branches of the [[First Nations University of Canada]] (Northern Campus), [[Gabriel Dumont Institute]], [[Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies]] (SIIT), and Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP).

==Media==
{{main|Media in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan}}

==Prince Albertans==
{{main|List of people from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Canada}}
*[[List of communities in Saskatchewan]]
*[[List of cities in Saskatchewan]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Sources==
* {{Cite book | title = Prince Albert: The First Century| author=Abrams, Gary W. D. | year = 1966 | publisher=Modern Press, Saskatoon }}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
*{{Official website|http://www.citypa.ca/}}

{{Geographic location
|North=[[Redwing, Saskatchewan|Redwing]]<br />[[Spruce Home, Saskatchewan|Spruce Home]]<br />[[Prince Albert National Park]]
|West=[[Shellbrook, Saskatchewan|Shellbrook]]
|Center=Prince Albert
|East=[[Birch Hills, Saskatchewan|Birch Hills]]
|South=[[Red Deer Hill, Saskatchewan|Red Deer Hill]]}}

{{Subdivisions of Saskatchewan}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Prince Albert, Saskatchewan| ]]
[[Category:1776 establishments in the British Empire]]
[[Category:Cities in Saskatchewan]]
[[Category:Hudson's Bay Company trading posts]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1776]]