Canada's population continues to grow thanks to immigration

Friday, 27 March 2009

New figures show a population increase of 0.19 per cent, the fastest fourth-quarter growth rate since 1992. According to Statistics Canada, international immigration fuelled an increase in Canada's population in the last quarter of 2008, particularly in the western provinces.

"The increased pace in population growth can be explained by a marked increase in net international migration..." Statistics Canada said in a news release.

The increase brings Canada's population to an estimated 33,504,700, up 63,400 from Oct. 1, 2008.

All four provinces west of Ontario posted growth rates higher than the national level, with Alberta posting the biggest increase at 0.60 per cent.

Statistics Canada says Alberta received 5,200 immigrants, a level not seen in a fourth quarter since 1981 and was also boosted by an increase in interprovincial migration.

All of the Atlantic provinces, except for Prince Edward Island, saw an increase in population growth.

The largest demographic growth in the east was in New Brunswick at 0.07 per cent and was due to both interprovincial and international migration.

source:http://www.migrationexpert.com/Canada/Visa/canadian_immigration_news/2009/Apr/0/580/Canada%27s_population_continues_to_grow_thanks_to_immigration