New data from Statistics Canada reveals that Alberta continues to experience the fastest population growth in the country, adding over 17,000 residents between July and September 2023. The surge in migration is predominantly fueled by individuals relocating from Ontario and British Columbia, both grappling with a decline in population over the past year. Notably, interprovincial migration to Alberta has seen a continuous rise for five consecutive quarters, marking a historic trend in the data.
The primary catalyst behind the surge is the influx of non-permanent immigrants, reaching 10,638 in the third quarter alone. Nationally, Canada witnesses a comparable trend, with the total number of non-permanent residents soaring to 2,511,437, the highest quarterly increase since records began in 1971.
The recent statistics propel Alberta’s population to 4,756,408, reflecting a remarkable 4.3% rise in the past year. This substantial growth comes as the province concludes its Alberta Calling campaign, initiated in August 2022 to attract newcomers with promises of enhanced earning opportunities and affordable living.
In a recent interview, Premier Danielle Smith acknowledged Alberta’s astounding population increase, marking the highest growth rate in over 50 years. The province witnessed a surge of nearly 200,000 residents in the previous year, driving the total population past 4.75 million. This boom, however, has led to an increase in rental prices, rising by 10.6% between December 2023 and the previous year.
Housing starts have increased by 29% in November 2023 compared to the previous year, demonstrating the province’s commitment to meet the escalating demand. However, average home prices in the province have also seen a notable uptick, rising by 6.3%. While Calgary experienced a 10% increase, Fort McMurray witnessed a decrease of 6%, and Edmonton saw marginal growth.
Premier Smith highlighted ongoing efforts to streamline housing and rental unit approvals, pointing to significant investments in projects such as Dow’s $9-billion petrochemical megaproject. These initiatives, along with various agri-food investments, aim to create a more efficient environment for housing and attract additional investments to the region.
The unprecedented population growth in Alberta is not without its challenges. Premier Danielle Smith acknowledged the need to address the strain on infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of staying ahead in areas such as schools, hospitals, roads, and housing.
As the province plans to launch the next phase of the Alberta is Calling campaign in 2024, Premier Smith aims to attract skilled workers, particularly in high-demand sectors such as healthcare, skilled trades, food service, hospitality, accounting, engineering, and technology. With a reported 100,000 job vacancies in these fields, the province is actively seeking to manage the growth and ensure a sustainable and prosperous future.
While Alberta’s expected annual growth rate is 1.5%, projections indicate a more accelerated growth of 2.5% per year between 2022 and 2025. As the province navigates this unprecedented growth, balancing economic opportunities with the need for robust infrastructure remains a key focus for Alberta’s leadership.