Canada visa holders boost population figures in Q1 2009

July 03 2009 by Mark Johnstone

Canada immigrants are a boost to the population

According to new government figures, the population of Canada increased by 88,000 people, to 33,592,700, in the first quarter of 2009. This has been attributed mainly to temporary Canada visa holders.

Statistics Canada says that the population growth, which is the largest since 2001, is mainly attributable to an increase in the number of Canada immigrants on work or student visas, rather than those who migrated to Canada as permanent residents

The population rise was recorded in all regions of Canada aside from Nova Scotia, the Northwest Territories and Newfoundland. Western provinces such as Alberta continue to grow at a faster rate than the rest of the country, which is due to the fact that there are more jobs in these regions for migrants hoping to work in Canada on a short-term basis.

Alberta’s population grew 0.59 per cent over the quarter, while Ontario saw growth reach just 0.21 per cent. This has been put down to inter-provincial migration, i.e. migrants who have already moved to Canada moving around to find work. Despite the lower growth, Ontario still attracts more Canada immigrants than other destinations.

A total of 50,000 Canada immigrants moved to the country over the quarter.

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