Canada’s population increased by more than a million people for the first time in history in 2022, almost entirely due to a surge in immigrants and temporary residents, Statistics Canada said on Wednesday.
Total population grew by a record 1.05 million people to 39.57 million in the 12 months to Jan. 1, 2023, and about 96 per cent of the rise was due to international migration, the statistics agency said.
The increase, which helped Canada retain its position as the fastest-growing G7 country, translates to a population growth rate of 2.7 per cent and such a rate would lead to the population doubling in about 26 years, the agency said.
Plus … Trudeau, Poilievre Spar Over Canada’s Housing Affordability Crisis
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre sparred over the ongoing housing affordability crisis across Canada during question period on March 22, with the leader of the official opposition calling on Trudeau to find ways of bringing down rising mortgage costs.
Poilievre said Trudeau promised to bring down housing costs when he first took office eight years ago, but has so far failed to do so.
“It cost $1,400 to pay an average mortgage [in 2015],” said Poilievre. “How much does it cost today?”
Poilievre later pointed out that Canada’s average mortgage price has risen to over $3,100 since then.
