Canada’s population has surpassed 41 million people, growing by 0.6% in this year’s first quarter, as immigration continues to drive population density across the country.
Statistics Canada says that the nation’s population reached 41,012,563 on April 1 of this year after adding 242,673 people in the first three months of the year.
The federal agency said that half (50%) of the population growth between January and March of this year was from immigration as Canada allowed 121,758 immigrants to enter the country.
Canada also added 131,810 non-permanent residents to the population during Q1 of this year.
The strong population growth has continued despite the federal government in Ottawa announcing steps to curb the number of people entering the country.
The government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced measures to reduce the number of permits issued to non-permanent residents and foreign students seeking to study within Canada.
The strong wave of immigration into Canada has put stress on the country’s social programs and led to housing shortages in many regions, leading to criticisms of the government policy.
Canada’s population has grown nearly 20% since it was at 35 million people in 2015. That year, it was found that there were more Canadians over the age of 65 than under the age of 15 for the first time.
Federal officials have used immigration as a way to offset Canada’s aging population and help boost the country’s productivity.
