Alberta continues to buck the national trend as Canada's population declines for the third consecutive quarter, with the province adding more than 47,000 migrants in the past year. The majority of these newcomers are interprovincial movers, making Alberta the top destination for Canadians relocating from other provinces.
Alberta's 15-Quarter Streak
Alberta has maintained a net inflow of residents for 15 straight quarters, even as separatist tensions simmer within the province. After accounting for those who left, Alberta's population swelled by over 28,000 people. The province attracted the most new residents from British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
National Population Decline
In contrast, Canada's population shrank by 55,025 residents between January and April, bringing the estimated total to 41,417,056 as of April 1. This marks the third consecutive quarterly decline, driven by stricter immigration policies that have reduced both permanent and non-permanent resident inflows.
ATB chief economist Mark Parsons noted that before the recent slump, Canada's population had not decreased over a 12-month period since at least 1947. The drop follows several years of unprecedented growth, particularly in 2023 and 2024, when annual increases exceeded three percent due to pandemic-era lax immigration policies.
Impact of Stricter Immigration Policies
The rapid population growth strained housing and infrastructure, leading to public frustration and a political backlash against the Liberal government. In response, the government reversed its immigration policies, making it harder for international students and temporary residents to obtain permanent residency. This has led to a net loss of over 35,000 non-permanent residents in Alberta alone over the past year.
Calgary Leads Growth
Most of Alberta's population growth has been concentrated in Calgary. The city's population has historically surged during oil booms, but the recent increase has been unprecedented. Calgary is fast approaching a population of two million, raising questions about infrastructure readiness.
Other Provinces and Territories
Only Saskatchewan, Nunavut, and Prince Edward Island saw net population increases, ranging from 400 to 1,500 residents. British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario continued to lose residents to interprovincial migration.
Economic Implications
Alberta's population growth rate of 0.9 percent, while its slowest since the pandemic, remains faster than other provinces. The departure of non-permanent residents has impacted post-secondary institutions, many of which have cut programs amid declining provincial funding.
