StatCan estimates population edged lower in the first quarter of 2026

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada estimates the population edged down 0.1 per cent in the first quarter of this year as the number of non-permanent residents dropped.

The agency estimated the population at 41,417,056 on April 1, down 55,025 people from Jan. 1.

The decrease came as the preliminary number of non-permanent residents fell by 117,879 people in the first three months of the year compared with a decline of 55,194 a year ago.

Statistics Canada says the country welcomed 83,149 permanent immigrants in the first quarter compared with 104,210 in the first quarter of last year.