Statistics Canada revises 2025 data, showing modest population growth

An updated estimate from Statistics Canada reveals that Canada’s population grew by 280,810 individuals in 2025, correcting a March release that had suggested a net decline—the first such decrease since the nation’s founding. The agency noted that the earlier figures were preliminary and expected to be revised once additional administrative data, such as work and study permit extensions, were processed. Despite the reversal, the growth rate is still markedly slow.

The slowdown follows policy shifts that began under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, which trimmed both permanent and temporary immigration after a post-pandemic labour shortage. Under current prime minister Mark Carney, the budget set lower targets for temporary residents in 2026 and capped permanent admissions at 380,000 per year through 2028.