Canada’s population declined in the third quarter of 2025, primarily due to a decrease in non-permanent residents, as per the latest figures from Statistics Canada. Preliminary data released on Wednesday indicates a population decrease of approximately 76,068 individuals, representing a 0.2% drop from July 1 to Oct. 1.
The reduction in the population is largely attributed to a decline in the number of non-permanent residents, a consequence of shifts in government policy. In 2024, the federal government announced plans to reduce the intake of non-permanent residents and lower the cap on international student admissions.
Since assuming office earlier this year, Prime Minister Mark Carney has emphasized the need to manage immigration levels more effectively. Statistics Canada notes that the decrease in population is primarily a result of a record-high number of people leaving the country as their permits expire, compared to new permits being issued. The decline was particularly notable among individuals holding study permits, with approximately 73,682 individuals leaving, followed by those with work and study permits.
This decline in non-permanent residents marks the largest decrease observed by Statistics Canada since it began tracking comparable data in the third quarter of 1971. Across all provinces and territories, there were fewer non-permanent residents on Oct. 1 compared to July 1.
Ontario experienced the most significant decrease in non-permanent residents, losing around 107,280 individuals, followed by British Columbia (26,242), Quebec (15,989), and Alberta (10,605). The federal government has indicated in its November budget that it intends to significantly reduce the number of temporary residents admitted into Canada in the coming years, aiming for 385,000 temporary residents next year and 370,000 in the subsequent two years.
This shift in policy aligns with changing public sentiment on immigration, influenced by concerns over housing and healthcare issues. Government data and public polling indicate a shift in Canadians’ attitudes toward immigration levels, with decreasing support for higher intake numbers.
The Conservative Party has raised immigration as a prominent issue in parliamentary debates, with Leader Pierre Poilievre advocating for reforms to the temporary foreign worker program. As of Oct. 1, Canada’s population stands at approximately 41,575,585.