Analysis

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On July 1, 2009, the population of Canada was estimated at 33,739,900. In the second quarter of 2009, Canada's population grew by 121,200 (0.36%). Although down slightly from 2008, this was the strongest growth since the early 1990s. The increase could largely be attributed to the level of net international migration, which was 84,800, the second highest level for a second quarter since 1972.

Population growth in the second quarter of 2009 was not quite as sharp as the 0.38% rise recorded in the second quarter of 2008. This slackening was largely due to a decrease in the net number of non-permanent residents, from 31,200 in the second quarter of 2008 to 23,500 in the second quarter of 2009. This decrease was most notable in Alberta, Manitoba and British Columbia.

The number of births across the country during the second quarter of 2009 was estimated at 96,200. This figure, which represents the highest number of births for a second quarter since 1996, was up by 1,600 from the second quarter of 2008. This upward trend in the number of births could also be seen in a number of other industrialized countries throughout the world.

The diversification of provinces receiving immigrants continued

Although the number of immigrants admitted did not fluctuate much in comparison with the previous second quarter, the percentage of immigrants going to Ontario continued to decrease. During the second quarter, Ontario received 43.24% of immigrants, the second lowest percentage for any quarter since 1982. Saskatchewan (3.10 %), Manitoba (6.38 %), Prince Edward Island (0.96 %) and New Brunswick (0.86%) contribute to compensate by receiving larger shares of immigrants arriving in Canada since 2000. Nonetheless, Ontario remains the province that had the largest actual number of immigrants. The percentage of immigrants settling in Ontario during a second quarter reached an all-time high in 2002 (61.20%).

Population growth still strong in the West

The four western Canadian provinces all posted higher population growth than the Canadian average from April to June 2009, primarily owing to international migration. After having posted high net numbers of non-permanent residents in the second quarter of 2008, all of the western provinces but Saskatchewan showed decreases in these numbers from April to June 2009.

Alberta was the province with the strongest population growth from April to June 2009, at 0.59%. With the arrival of 6,900 immigrants, net international migration was the main driving force behind population growth in that province. Population growth in Alberta was lower than that recorded for the second quarter of 2008 (0.80%). This slowdown in growth stemmed largely from a decrease in the net number of non-permanent residents and in net interprovincial migration as compared with the second quarter of 2008. This was the first time since 1989 that Alberta had posted migration losses in relation to Newfoundland and Labrador during a second quarter. Alberta's interprovincial migration gains of 4,700 remained the highest in Canada. This was the seventh straight quarter in which Alberta's population growth was larger than that of any other province.

Population growth in Manitoba was 0.48% in the second quarter. This was the most pronounced population growth since the current record-keeping system was established (1971). The rapid population growth in Manitoba stemmed primarily from a substantial decrease in interprovincial migration losses and a sustained increase in the number of immigrants. In the second quarter of 2008, Manitoba had lost 1,100 people to the other provinces, in contrast with 100 from April to June 2009. For the first time since 2003, Manitoba achieved migration gains in relation to British Columbia during a second quarter. In addition, Manitoba welcomed 4,400 immigrants from April to June 2009, up from the 3,300 immigrants received in the second quarter of 2008.

Saskatchewan's population grew by 0.44% in the second quarter, representing the strongest growth for a second quarter since 1975. As with Manitoba, the more rapid pace of population growth in that province was the result of such factors as the sustained increase in immigration. Saskatchewan welcomed 2,200 immigrants from April to June 2009, as compared with 1,400 in the second quarter of 2008. This was the largest number of immigrants received by that province in any quarter since the introduction of the current record-keeping system (1971).

From April to June 2009, the population of British Columbia rose by 0.39%. Immigration was the primary factor behind this increase, which amounted to 10,900 immigrants. This was down slightly from the second quarter of 2008 (0.49%), partly because of smaller gains in interprovincial and international migration. British Columbia gained 1,800 inhabitants through its exchanges with the other provinces and territories, the lowest level for a second quarter since 2003. British Columbia nonetheless posted the second highest net interprovincial migration, after Alberta.

Moderate population growth for Quebec and Ontario

The population of Ontario rose by 0.34% from April to June 2009, the lowest increase for a second quarter since 1993. This smaller increase can be explained partly by interprovincial migration losses and a decrease in immigration. The migration losses in Ontario reached 4,000, the most substantial decline for a second quarter since 1990 and the lowest net number in Canada in the past quarter. Ontario lost in its migration exchanges with Alberta (-3,700), Newfoundland and Labrador (-900), British Columbia (-700) and Saskatchewan (-600) in particular. Ontario has shown losses in its quarterly interprovincial migration exchanges since the first quarter of 2003. Ontario received 30,100 immigrants from April to June 2009, a decrease compared with 32,000 immigrants received in the second quarter of 2008. This was the seventh straight quarter in which population growth in Ontario was lower than the national average.

With a population growth of 0.31%, Quebec experienced the strongest increase in its population for a second quarter since 1991. This increase was spurred partly by a rise in the net number of non-permanent residents and immigration. At 7,200, the net number of non-permanent residents in Quebec from April to June 2009 was the highest for that province in any quarter since 1988. From April to June 2009 there were 22,400 births estimated in Quebec, the largest number for a second quarter in that province since 1996. Despite posting gains over the second quarter of 2008, Quebec was the province that lost the second largest number of individuals in its migration exchanges with the other provinces and territories after Ontario, with a net loss of 3,500. These losses primarily occurred through migration exchanges with Ontario (-1,900) and Alberta (-900).

Strong population growth for Prince Edward Island

During the second quarter, all of the Atlantic provinces saw their populations increase. This growth can be attributed to such factors as higher levels of net international migration for Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with growth in Newfoundland and Labrador stemming mainly from gains in interprovincial migration. However, for all of these provinces, natural growth continued to decline. From April to June 2009, it reached the lowest level for a second quarter since the establishment of the current record-keeping system (1971) for all of these provinces except Nova Scotia, which reached this level in 2006.

During the second quarter, Prince Edward Island's population growth was the highest of any Atlantic province, at 0.53%. Higher net international migration accounted for part of this increase, as the number of immigrants was up. During the second quarter, 700 immigrants came to Prince Edward Island, the highest level for any quarter since the current record-keeping system was brought in (1971). Despite negative net interprovincial migration, this was the highest rate of population growth in that province for a second quarter since 1978.

Newfoundland and Labrador saw its population increase by 0.28% from April to June 2009. Not since 1983 has there been a second quarter with greater population growth. In contrast with the other Atlantic provinces, this growth can be explained largely by positive net interprovincial migration. This was the fourth quarter in a row in which Newfoundland and Labrador realized gains in its exchanges with the other provinces and territories. From April to June 2009, Newfoundland and Labrador gained 1,100 people through its exchanges with the other provinces, putting it in third place behind Alberta and British Columbia. In the second quarter, the net number of non-permanent residents in Newfoundland and Labrador was 200, the highest level for a second quarter since 1999.

The population of New Brunswick rose by 0.07% from April to June 2009. The arrival of 600 immigrants, the highest number for that province in a second quarter since 1976, explained the major portion of that province's growth.

Population growth in Nova Scotia was 0.05% during the second quarter as a result of immigration and the net number of non-permanent residents. Although Nova Scotia lost 300 people in its migration exchanges with the other provinces and territories in the second quarter, the loss was the lowest for that province since the second quarter of 2004.

Population growth in the territories

During the second quarter, all three territories posted increases in their population, with Nunavut leading the way.

The population of Nunavut exceeded 32,000, thanks to 0.68% growth in the second quarter. This increase can primarily be attributed to natural growth. The number of births in Nunavut from April to June 2009 was estimated at 200, the highest level for any quarter since the third quarter of 1999.

The population of Yukon rose by 0.28% from April to June 2009, the lowest population growth for a second quarter since 2005. After seven consecutive quarters with positive net interprovincial migration, Yukon lost in its exchanges with the other provinces and territories for a second straight quarter. Yukon has mainly had a deficit in its migration exchanges with British Columbia.

Despite interprovincial migration losses, the population in the Northwest Territories grew by 0.21% from April to June 2009. This increase can largely be explained by natural growth, although it was the lowest level observed for the territory during a second quarter since the current record-keeping system was introduced (1971).