Canada’s Population Growth Slows for the First Time Since Pandemic

Photo:AP

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s population growth has slowed down. Between January and March 2024, Canada added around 242,673 new people. That’s a big number, but still much lower than in past years.

The total population now stands at around 41 million, according to Statistics Canada. Most of the new people came from immigration, which includes newcomers like international students, foreign workers, and refugees. But this year, the number of temporary residents entering Canada has decreased, and more of them are also choosing to leave.

Experts say this may be a sign that the country’s immigration system is adjusting after taking in record numbers over the past few years. In fact, in 2023, Canada welcomed over 1.2 million temporary residents, which was the highest ever.

The federal government recently announced new plans to slow down the growth of temporary immigration. They said that too many people arriving in a short time can make it harder for cities to provide enough housing, healthcare, and schools.

In provinces like Ontario and British Columbia, where many immigrants usually settle, population growth was still strong—but not as fast as last year. On the other hand, Alberta and some Atlantic provinces are seeing a rise in people moving in, often because of better job opportunities and lower living costs.

Even with this slowdown, Canada’s population is still growing faster than many other countries. But the pause gives governments a chance to rethink how many people can be welcomed while making sure services and homes are ready for them.

The slowdown also raises important questions:

• How many newcomers should Canada accept each year?

• How can the country support them better?

• And how can growth be shared more evenly across provinces?

This moment of slower growth could help Canada plan for a future where both welcoming new people and caring for communities go hand in hand.