Calgary baby tips the scales at 1 million

Dashiell Waite made a big splash in his first day on the planet: thenewborn boy was officially honoured Tuesday as Calgary's one millionth citizen.

His shocked parents were unaware the nine-pound 10-ounce boy, whoarrived at 12:08 a.m. on Tuesday,had a chance to achieve instant status.

"When we came to the hospital we had no idea this was in the works and I don't know how we follow this up with our next one," proud papa Sean Waite, 38, told reporters at Rocky View Hospital on Tuesday.

"I'll either have to wait a long time or move to a new city. It's all surreal right now," he joked as he stood with wife Jessica, 34.

In the last year, the city's population has increased by 35,681 — nearly 100 people a day.

"It really speaks to what Calgary is all about in terms of a young and energetic city," said Mayor Dave Bronconnier.

The Waites received several gifts from businesses and the city of Calgary, including$1,000 worth of free electricity from the City of Calgary, a $1,000 bank account from the Royal Bank of Canada, a spa weekend from the Hyatt Hotel and airline tickets for two from WestJet.