Outflow of temporary residents drives drop in Canada’s population for third consecutive quarter (opens original article in a new tab)

Canada's population declined for the third straight quarter in 2026, driven by reduced temporary and permanent resident numbers under new immigration policies.

• Canada's population fell by 55,000 in Q1 2026, marking the third consecutive quarterly decline.
• Temporary residents decreased by 118,000 in Q1 2026, reflecting government efforts to reduce their numbers.
• Permanent resident admissions dropped 20.2% in Q1 2026, aligning with tighter immigration restrictions.