Canada’s population fell slightly in 1st quarter of 2026: StatCan

Statistics Canada reports a 0.1 percent decline in the national population for the first quarter of 2026, marking the third consecutive quarterly drop. This trend aligns with government efforts to reduce temporary resident numbers and manage infrastructure strain.
Why it matters
This shift represents a significant change in Canadian immigration policy and demographic growth trends.
Statistics Canada estimates Canada s population fell 0.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, the third consecutive quarter in which the Canadian population has seen a decline.
The article relies on official government statistics and reports factual data without editorializing.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in