StatsCan Walks Back Historic Population Decline

Statistics Canada has revised its previous population estimates, now reporting that Canada's population grew by 280,810 people in 2025. According to reporting from CBC, this update reverses a preliminary estimate released in March that suggested the country had experienced its first annual net decline in residents since Confederation.

A Statistics Canada spokesperson told CBC that the initial figures were preliminary and that updates were expected to be larger than usual. The agency noted that the availability of more complete administrative data, specifically regarding study and work permit extensions, led to the revised increase.

Despite the revision, Statistics Canada maintains that population growth has still slowed significantly. CBC reports that the government under former prime minister Justin Trudeau had already begun reducing permanent and temporary immigration levels following a post-pandemic surge.

Under Prime Minister Mark Carney, these reductions have intensified. According to Carney's first budget, the federal government intends to limit new permanent residents to 380,000 annually from 2026 through 2028. Additionally, the budget targets a significant drop in temporary residents, aiming for 385,000 in 2026—a decrease of approximately 43 percent from the 2025 target—and 370,000 for both 2027 and 2028.