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B.C. population tops 4.4 million

B.C. is also second-fastest growing as Canada's population hits 33 million
CanWest News Service
Published: Wednesday, December 19, 2007
VANCOUVER - British Columbia's population hit an estimated 4,402,900, the second fastest growth-rate among the provinces, according to figures released Wednesday.

Statistics Canada says B.C.'s increase due mainly to an increase in interprovincial migration. International migration accounted for nearly 60 per cent of B.C.'s growth.

More than 33 million people now live in Canada.


B.C.'s population has surpassed 4.4 million
Steve Bosch/Vancouver Sun

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Font:****Saskatchewan has replaced Alberta as the fastest-growing province, with more than one million people for the first time since 2001.

The numbers are based on population counts from the 2001 Census.

As of Oct. 1, 2007, Canada's population was estimated at 33,091,200, up from 115,200 from July 1, 2007. It is the strongest growth rate in six years.

Provincially, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta had population growth rates higher than the rest of the country with Saskatchewan's population reaching a record high of 1,003,300.

Immigration also remained strong with Canada receiving an estimated 71,600 newcomers, an increase not seen in more than 30 years.

Alberta, which has typically led the provinces in population growth, has started to lose more people to other regions with provinces such as Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan benefiting the most.

The population of all four Atlantic provinces rose, but at a slower pace than the rest of Canada.

Prince Edward Island was the fastest-growing province in the Atlantic region. It also received more immigrants than ever before.

Newfoundland and Labrador's population was estimated at 507,500, up by 1,200, the highest increase since 1992.

New Brunswick also posted an increase, while Nova Scotia had the slowest population growth among the provinces of just below 1,000 people.

Manitoba, British Columbia and Ontario are the other provinces posting an immigration rate higher than the national level.

Ontario's population increased to an estimated 12,850,600, a faster growth rate than the rest of country due mainly to interprovincial migration.

However, Ontario's attraction for immigrants is declining.

The population of Quebec, the second most populous province, increased but at a slower rate than the national average.

The number of births in Quebec is still on the rise, and its rate of natural increase is second only to Alberta.

British Columbia's population hit an estimated 4,402,900, the second fastest growth-rate among the provinces, due mainly to an increase in interprovincial migration. International migration accounted for nearly 60 per cent of B.C.'s growth.

Manitoba saw a demographic increase slightly below the national rate although it is the province's strongest increase since 1983 due to strong influx of immigrants.

The only territory to post a faster demographic growth rate than the rest of the country was the Yukon, where the population reached 31,100.

Statistics Canada says the Northwest Territories was the only jurisdiction to record a decline in population, largely because of interprovincial migration while Nunavut posted one of the smallest population increases in its brief history. Without its strong birth rate, Nunavut's population would have declined.