Canada: Immigration Numbers Surge

International migration has spurred Canada to its biggest quarterly rise in population since 1991. Immigration numbers are at their highest level since the late 1980s, adding 91,600 to Canada’s population in the second quarter of the year.

For April to June 2008, Canada’s total population rose by 125,800 (including births plus immigration) to an estimated 33,311,400 people.

Go West

The four western provinces – British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba – were the country’s fastest growers.

First place went to Alberta, whose population growth of 0.78% was more than double that of the rest of the country, boosted by a resurgence in arrivals from Canada’s other provinces.

Elsewhere in the west, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia all grew faster than the rest of Canada. Manitoba posted its highest quarterly increase since 1982.

For the third quarter in a row the traditional magnet for migrants – Ontario – experienced population growth slower than Canada’s. Ontario continues to record a net outflow to other provinces – especially to Alberta.

While births and immigration both rose in Quebec, the province recorded an increased net outflow to the rest of Canada. Like Ontario, Quebec’s outflow was mainly to Alberta. Nevertheless, Quebec posted its highest growth rate in population since the third quarter of 1992.

The Atlantic provinces also all recorded population increases in the second quarter of 2008. Prince Edward Island led the way (+0.60%), mainly due to immigration gains.

Data: Statistics Canada