The Canadian
population grew at a near record pace in the third quarter of 2022, however,
the story was a little different for Ontario, which saw the most population
loss of any other province over the quarter.
This is
according to the latest population estimates from Statistics Canada. The data
revealed that Canada’s population climbed 0.9% to 39,292,355 between October
and July- the highest quarterly population growth rate since 1957 and this is almost
entirely attributed to the country’s international population.
“Canada’s
total population growth for the first nine months of 2022 has already surpassed
the total growth for any full-year period since Confederation in 1867. This high
level of growth was mostly (94.0%) due to international migration, which pushed
Canada’s population over 39 million for the first time,” says the national
statistical agency. “In the third quarter of 2022, Canada welcomed 122,145
immigrants, about the same number as in the third quarter of 2021 and the second
highest number of immigrants in any third quarter since 1946, the year
quarterly data became available.”
StatCan also
points to an influx of 225,198 non permanent residents, including work permit
holders and those fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as a key driver of
Canada’s expanding population. Although all provinces and territories saw this
uptick in NPRs, Ontario welcomed the vast majority, adding 106,459 NPRs to its
population in the third quarter. Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec jointly accounted
for 80% of the country’s total NPRs.
Even so,
Ontario experienced a sizable population loss in the third quarter due to
interprovincial migration – a trend hatched in the first quarter of 2020.
Ontario’s Q3 net loss, accounting for around 11,581 people, was the largest
third quarter loss on record since 1980, at which time the province lost around
18,244 of its population.
Alberta
seemingly absorbed losses form other provinces, including Ontario, observing
the highest net gain of any other province from interprovincial migration. This
is undoubtedly a reflection of Alberta’s enduring affordability, as unflinching
inflation and the high interest rate environment continue to put cost of living
through the roof.
Written
By: Zakiya Kassam
Source
By: STOREYS