Statistics Canada has reported significant increases in both Canada's and Alberta's populations in the third quarter of 2023. (Photo: Paulbradyphoto | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

Alberta lead Canada in population growth in Q3

Dec 19, 2023 | 7:19 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – People continue to flock to Alberta, both from elsewhere in Canada and across the world.

Statistics Canada has released its population estimates for the third quarter, covering the period from July 1 to September 30, 2023.

In that time, the nation’s population grew by 430,635 (+1.1 per cent), the highest percentage of any quarter since Q2 in 1957. Canada was home to 40,528,396 people as of the beginning of October.

The country welcomed 107,972 immigrants in the third quarter as international migration accounted for 96 per cent of the growth.

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Alberta saw strong numbers this past quarter as well.

According to Statistics Canada, the provincial population increased by 61,118 (+1.3 per cent) to 4,756,408.

While just under two-thirds (64.2 per cent) of that number came from international migration at 39,212, it was not the only factor in Alberta’s growth.

The agency reports that Alberta was the only Canadian province to see a net gain in interprovincial migration in the third quarter, attracting Canadians from every corner of the nation. A total of 17,094 people moved to Alberta from other provinces and territories.

“Alberta has registered interprovincial migration gains of 10,000 or more for five consecutive quarters for the first time since comparable data were made available (1971),” said Statistics Canada. “Most of Alberta’s population gains through interprovincial migration were due to its exchanges with Ontario and British Columbia.”

The natural increase, calculated as births-minus-deaths, accounted for a much smaller portion of Alberta’s population growth, making up a net gain of 4,812.

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