Canadas population could reach 80M in 50 years, despite immigration cut: report [Video]

Canada’s population will grow over the years regardless of the federal government’s recent decision to slash immigration rates, a new report shows.

Statistics Canada released new projection figures Tuesday that factor in Ottawa’s October announcement that it would be reducing the number of permanent residents admitted to the country by 21 per cent in 2025.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at the time the goal was to pause population growth over the next two years to ease pressures the economy has been facing, such as in housing and infrastructure.

A “substantial reduction” in the number of permanent residents, as well as a decrease in non-permanent residents, would result in much lower population growth than that recorded in 2022 and 2023, Statistics Canada said.

The population would even decrease slightly from 2025 to 2026, but in all three of its scenarios released Tuesday, Statistics Canada said migratory increase would be the key driver of population growth over the next 50 years.