The New Method Used By Statistics Canada To Count Non-Permanent Residents
Statistics Canada is continually revising its population estimates in order to offer the most precise information possible. It now includes family members living in Canada alongside temporary permit holders. Furthermore, it has modified its approach to better count people who remain in Canada after their temporary permission expires while Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reviews their extension application.
The Statistics Canada change follows the latest findings by CIBC Economics and the C.D. Howe Institute which revealed that both the yearly census and the quarterly estimate of population growth from Statistics Canada were significantly undercounting NPRs.
According to CIBC, there could be up to one million NPRs in Canada who are unaccounted for. It also stated that according to findings from the 2021 census, there were just under 925,000 NPRs in Canada, whereas the quarterly estimate claimed the figure was 1.17 million.
Alberta is the Canadian province that grew the most during this period. Alberta had the fastest population increase of the 13 provinces and territories in Canada, increasing by 4%. This expansion is mostly due to foreign migration and an increase in persons relocating to the province from the rest of Canada. Between July 2022 and July 2023, Alberta topped Canada with approximately 56,000 more individuals moving to the province than departing.
According to Statistics Canada, seven provinces saw historical population growth: Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Between 2.3% and 3.9% population growth may look miniscule but it is still record growth.
2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan
During non-election years, the federal government is required by law to declare its immigration plan by November 1st. As a result, we’ll find out about Canada’s new permanent residence objectives in early November. Canada expects to welcome 500,000 NPRs yearly by 2025, according to the current Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025. The federal immigration minister, Marc Miller, recently stated that he expects the Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 goals to either stay unchanged or be raised.
