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Canada Records Rare Quarterly Population Drop as Non‑Permanent Residents Depart

Record outflows tied to Ottawa’s permit caps drove the temporary‑resident share down to 6.8%.

Overview

  • Statistics Canada estimates the population fell by 76,068 people (0.2%) in Q3 2025 to 41,575,585.
  • Non‑permanent residents declined by 176,479, the largest quarterly drop since comparable records began in 1971.
  • Study permit holders led the decrease (−73,682), with the steepest losses in Ontario and British Columbia.
  • Temporary‑resident departures reached 339,505 versus 163,026 new permits, while 102,867 new permanent residents arrived.
  • Most provinces and territories saw declines, with only Alberta and Nunavut up 0.2%, as asylum‑related populations rose by 7,324 to a record 504,767.