Canada’s population grew by its highest quarterly growth rate for 18 years in the third quarter of 2008. Population growth continued to remain faster in the western part of the country.

As of October 1, 2008, Canada’s population was an estimated 33,441,300, up 129,900 from July 1. Populations rose in every province and territory, except the Northwest Territories, according to Statistics Canada.

The pace of Canada’s population growth was faster than in the same quarter of 2007 as a result of an increase in net immigration, which set a third-quarter record of 89,100. This growth in net immigration was due to an increase in the number of non-permanent residents.

During the third quarter of 2008, 71,300 immigrants entered Canada, slightly fewer than in the same quarter of the previous year.

Canada’s rate of natural increase also remained stable in the third quarter of 2008 compared with the same period in 2007, with the number of births and deaths increasing at a similar pace.

Western Canada

Population growth remained higher in Western Canada. The provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon all had growth rates higher than the national level. East of Manitoba, only Prince Edward Island outpaced the national level.

For a fourth consecutive quarter, Alberta led all the other provinces in population growth at almost twice the national rate. The province’s growth was mainly attributable to resurgence in movement from elsewhere in Canada and a strong increase in its number of non-permanent residents.

Saskatchewan had the highest net immigration rate in Canada in the third quarter. Its population has been growing at a faster rate than the national level since the second quarter of 2007.

Atlantic Provinces / Eastern Canada

In Eastern Canada, all Atlantic provinces recorded population increases for a second consecutive quarter. Prince Edward Island continued to lead the region in population growth with growth mainly due to immigration.

Newfoundland and Labrador experienced a high growth rate mainly due to inflows of people from other Canadian provinces.

For a fourth quarter in a row, Ontario’s population growth was below the national level.

Quebec’s population growth was its highest since 1991. An increasing number of births high immigration more than offset Quebec’s outflow to other provinces.

20 Dec 2008