Canada's Population Growth Experiences Historic Slowdown

In a significant shift from the patterns observed during the pandemic, Canada has seen a slight decline in population growth for the first time since COVID-19 altered the landscape of migration. Statistics Canada revealed on Wednesday that steps taken by the federal government to reduce temporary migration have contributed to this trend.

The pandemic initially decimated incoming numbers as travel restrictions grounded international movement to a halt. However, international migration has been the principal driver behind the country's population increase in recent years.

Government Action on Temporary Migration

In January, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced intentions to implement a 'soft cap' on temporary residents, aiming to manage the rising influx that has been straining housing markets across the nation. Specific limits on these temporary residents are expected to be defined later this fall, but the government has already initiated measures to curb the arrival of temporary workers and international students.

Recent Statistics on Non-Permanent Residents

According to recent Statistics Canada data, while the number of non-permanent residents is still rising, the growth rate has diminished since October 2023. The latest figures show that in the second quarter, there was a net increase of 117,836 non-permanent residents, the lowest net gain since the first quarter of 2023. This marks a continued trend of reduced net increases over the last three quarters.

Factors Influencing Deceleration