New estimates from Statistics Canada reveal that immigration is the primary driver behind Canada’s most significant annual population increase since 1957.
According to the recently released data, Canada’s population grew by over one million individuals between July 2022 and July 2023, representing a remarkable three percent surge. The estimated population now exceeds 40 million.
During the same period, Canada also witnessed an astounding 46 percent surge in the number of temporary residents, with Statistics Canada estimating that as of July 1, 2023, there were 2.2 million “non-permanent” residents in the country.
The statistics agency noted that if the current rate of population growth persists, it could lead to Canada’s population doubling in 25 years.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller commented on the figures, emphasizing the need for proper planning and preparation to accommodate newcomers. The Liberal government has set record-breaking immigration targets in recent years, focusing on permanent residents without setting specific goals for temporary visa holders.
Miller highlighted the importance of ensuring suitable housing, safe labor conditions, and pathways to citizenship while acknowledging the need for comprehensive planning.
It’s worth noting that the estimated number of temporary residents in Canada now surpasses the 1.8 million Indigenous people accounted for in the 2021 census.
The increase in temporary residents is largely attributed to individuals with work visas, rather than international students, addressing the growing labor shortage in the country.
Statistics Canada revised its methodology for counting temporary residents following a CIBC Capital Markets report that indicated policymakers were significantly underestimating the true number of non-permanent residents in Canada.
The newly released figures, described as “extraordinary” by CIBC economist Benjamin Tal, suggest that the current pace of population growth may be unsustainable given the available supply of affordable housing. In absolute numbers, the population growth over the past year is more than double the increase observed in 1957 during the baby boom and Hungarian refugee crisis.
