From January 1 to April 1, the population grew by just 20,107 people (+0.0%), reaching 41,548,787, according to new estimates from Statistics Canada.
That’s the slowest quarterly pace of growth since the early pandemic days and the second-weakest in nearly 80 years of record-keeping.
The slowdown reflects the federal government’s efforts to reduce both temporary and permanent immigration.
The number of non-permanent residents fell by over 61,000 in the quarter, led by a sharp drop in international student permit holders, particularly in Ontario and British Columbia. StatCan noted that this reduction “is counter to the typical seasonal pattern of an increase in the first quarter.”
Quarterly population growth rate, Canada, 2014 to 2025
Non-permanent resident decline drives historic slowdown
Robert Kavcic, senior economist at BMO, said the policy shift is contributing to a “major population adjustment” that is now underway.
“Non-permanent immigration to Canada remained negative in Q1 (i.e., a net outflow) following caps on international students and temporary foreign workers put in place last year,” he wrote in a note. “The process of normalizing this segment of the population is now well underway—Ottawa is targeting a 5% share from above 7% at the high. That implies further net outflows ahead, likely right through 2026.”
Permanent immigration, however, remained “solid” by historical standards, Kavcic added, with 104,256 new permanent residents admitted in Q1. Still, Kavcic noted that this is also down from recent highs given reduced federal targets.
Population losses were recorded in Ontario (-5,664), British Columbia (-2,357), Quebec (-1,013), Newfoundland and Labrador (-115), and Yukon (-15). For Ontario and B.C., StatCan said these were the largest quarterly losses since data collection began in 1951.
Alberta continued to lead inter-provincial migration trends, gaining a net 7,176 people from other provinces in Q1—its 11th consecutive quarterly increase.
However, Kavcic noted that affordability-driven migration patterns may begin to shift. “Affordability was probably the biggest reason for movement to Alberta and Atlantic Canada; but with Ontario prices and rents down… the ‘movement-for-affordability arbitrage’ might be running its course,” he wrote.
Looking ahead, Kavcic expects Canada’s population growth to continue cooling, particularly with net births at -5,628 in the quarter.
“The process will take us back to conditions that more closely resemble those in the pre-pandemic decade: About 1% population growth; sturdy permanent immigration, some NPR flows where needed; but fewer babies,” Kavcic noted.
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Last modified: June 20, 2025
Then Canada will have to stop being a fat cat on social programs and work as lean machines and better, as we should have long ago. About time we start relying on other countries to get our work done and do it ourselves and be more self-sufficient.
Canada wants growth but not permanent growth ( canada wants new comers that can never be citizens) canada wants new comers that pay into the tax system. I came here as a refugee in 2006 through the UNHCR. Once I arrived at the airport they gave me my PR card. I can’t even describe the feeling of happiness once I knew this is home now . From 2006 to 2012 I was busy making a life for my self. I got married in had two kids, bought a house, went to school and got my driver’s licence. 2012 I had a traumatic pregnancy and a birth, same year my PR card expired. I had no idea until I went to go get a new driver’s licence. They told me to get it renewed so in 2014 I applied to renew my card and months later it was rejected due to insufficient documents. This happened time after time with each time immigration asking me to write a letter explaining my situation. I did everything they asked me to do, I even hired an immigration lawyer, and asked the local MPs help. I begged them to renew my PR card or else I would lose my driver’s licence as ICBC now has me flagged on their system ( they want to see a valid PR card renewed) while all this is happening me and my husband bought our second house and sold it ( all without proper ID) they want my tax money but did not want to renew my PR card so I could get my driver’s licence released and be able to go back to school, be able to travel with my kids. The 9 years felt like a nightmare, I felt powerless other than keep working . I worked while my kids had to make memories without me because mommy could not drive them or leave the country with them. Needless to say canada I see you for what you are now. You want us to come here making it look like we could make a life here but unless you hold a canadian birth certificate, you will pay the price in canada. Anyone coming to Canada, I urge you to really think twice. We break our backs to pay the same amount of taxes as anyone who is born in this country only to be treat the way I was treated or worse. Hopeless and trapped is what I feel each time they denied my PR card to be renewed.
Valid point but still sounds priveledged rather thankful you were able to make a life there. But why stress yourself and just go back to your home country then?
I’m tired of hearing about population growth, I don’t want to live with a billion plus people. I don’t understand how when Canada was 25 million a few years ago, the country was brilliant. It was clean there were jobs.
Kids would work at Macdonald’s rather than take crack and drop out
Times change especially when that change is forced.
This article is completely false… Canada’s population grew by 817,000 in the first 3 months of this year. Most being visa’s and visa renewals. Only about 130,000 people left with expiring visas.
Your math is not mathing.
Directly from StatCan: “From January 1 to April 1, 2025, the population of Canada increased by 20,107 people (+0.0%) to reach 41,548,787 people. This was the smallest quarterly growth since the third quarter of 2020…”
I love the fact that the government is working to balance the popularion growth and rhe infrastructure such as housing. Look around downtown Toronto and other cities in Canada and you will see a great number of homeless that didn’t exisr few years ago. The government of Canada is very lenient in approving visa compared to US and other countries. That should have changed long time ago. We’re not expected to satisfy everyone but at least we want to make sure that we secure Canadian’s future. So I support proper scrutiny of visa applications and visa approval.