We Are 33,311,389: Statscan —Immigration Feeds The Increase

We are 33,311,389: StatsCan
Immigration feeds the increase, especially in Prairie provinces, P.E.I.

Canwest News Service
Published: Monday, September 29, 2008

Immigration accounted for a spike in the Canadian population during the second quarter of 2008, the largest increase in 17 years, according to a Statistics Canada report released Monday.

Of the 125,800 additional Canadians during the quarter, 91,600 were from another country. That total was the highest number of immigrants Canada has experienced since the late 1980s.

Immigration increased in every province and territory, with new second-quarter records being set in Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Overall, every region of the country, with the exception of the Northwest Territories, saw its population increase during the second quarter.

The population of Canada, as of July 1, was recorded at 33,311,389.

The Prairie provinces and Prince Edward Island were the fastest growing provinces, according to the report. Alberta's growth rate – at 0.78 per cent or more than 27,500 people – was the largest in Canada.

Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia all recorded growth levels above the national average and Manitoba experienced its largest quarterly jump since 1982.

In Eastern Canada, the Atlantic provinces all had population jumps, but P.E.I. increased by 0.60 per cent or 831 people, which was attributed largely to immigration.