A Historic Shift Unfolds

For the first time in more than 150 years, Canada’s population has taken a step backward. That’s right—after decades of steady growth, the country recorded a yearly decline, signalling a surprising shift in its demographic story.

According to new preliminary data, Canada’s population stood at just over 41.47 million on January 1, 2026. That marks a drop of about 102,000 people compared to the previous year, or a modest decline of 0.2 per cent. While the number may seem small, the moment is anything but.

Growth Early On, Then a Sharp Reversal

At first, 2025 appeared promising. In fact, the population grew by more than 77,000 people in the first half of the year. However, things changed quickly. During the second half, nearly 180,000 people were lost from the overall count.

As a result, the gains made earlier simply could not keep up. Consequently, the year ended with a net decline—something Canada has not experienced since Confederation in 1867.

The Key Factor Behind the Decline

So, what caused this sudden shift? The answer lies largely in the drop in non-permanent residents.

This group includes international students, temporary foreign workers, asylum claimants, and their families. While their numbers peaked at over 3.1 million in late 2024, they steadily fell to around 2.67 million by early 2026.

Therefore, as fewer temporary residents stayed in the country, overall population growth slowed—and eventually reversed.

Policy Changes Played a Major Role

At the same time, government decisions also shaped the outcome. In recent years, Canada had increased immigration levels to address labour shortages after the pandemic. However, that approach began to shift.

Gradually, the federal government reduced both temporary and permanent immigration targets. For instance, plans now aim to bring in fewer temporary residents over the next few years. Similarly, limits have been set on permanent resident admissions.

Because of these changes, fewer newcomers entered the country, especially toward the end of 2025. As a result, population growth lost momentum.

Numbers May Still Change

Even so, experts urge caution. These figures remain preliminary, which means updates are expected. For example, some people may extend their work or study permits, which could affect future counts.

Therefore, while the decline is notable, it may not be final. In fact, revised data could show a smaller drop—or even a slight increase.

What This Means for Canada

Clearly, this moment marks a turning point. Canada has long relied on immigration to drive population growth and support its economy. Now, with numbers shifting, new questions arise.

Will the decline continue? Or will future policy changes bring growth back?

For now, one thing is certain—Canada’s population story has entered a new and unexpected chapter.

The post Canada Population Decline 2025: Historic Drop first appeared on Maple News Wire.

Homelessness in Toronto Reaches Crisis Point

Toronto’s unhoused population has surged to an estimated 15,400 as of October 2024—more than double the count from 2021—according to the city’s latest Street Needs Assessment. The report, released Monday, labels the situation a “crisis” and emphasizes the urgent need for coordinated action from municipal, provincial, and federal governments.

Data Reveals Steep Increase Over Three Years

The city’s point-in-time homelessness count in April 2021 identified approximately 7,300 people without stable housing. In contrast, the October 2024 survey recorded a dramatic rise to 15,400 individuals. The data shows that homelessness in Toronto is not just increasing—it is accelerating, driven by systemic failures in affordable housing, health care access, income support, and social services.

Who is Affected Most

The survey highlights the disproportionate impact of homelessness on racialized communities. Indigenous people—who make up only 3% of Toronto’s population—represent 9% of the homeless and 31% of those living outdoors. Black residents, comprising 10% of the population, account for 58% of those without housing. There’s also a rise in 2SLGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly among refugee claimants and youth.

Causes Rooted in Affordability and Support Gaps

Gord Tanner, General Manager of Toronto Shelter and Support Services, attributes the rise to systemic breakdowns in housing, health care, immigration, and child welfare. “At its core, this is an affordability issue,” Tanner stated, emphasizing that people need more income and support services to secure and sustain housing. He urged long-term, upstream investments to prevent homelessness before it begins.

City’s Response and Current Trends

While the report’s numbers reflect the situation as of October 2024, the city says there’s been a modest decline since, crediting increased housing placements and fewer refugee claimants in shelters. According to officials, 4,300 people were housed last year, over 25,000 outreach visits were conducted, and 1,078 individuals living outside were referred into shelters. The city is also hiring up to 45 new outreach workers in 2025 to bolster support.

Advocates Say Report Must Spark Immediate Action

Homelessness advocates have described the report as “devastating” and “unsurprising.” Cathy Crowe, a street nurse and longtime advocate, called the findings a wake-up call. “These are not numbers. These are people—families, youth, and seniors—being failed by the system,” she said. Outreach worker Greg Cook emphasized that only large-scale investment in subsidized housing can reverse the trend. “The government knows how to do this,” he said, calling for the construction of tens of thousands of affordable units annually.

Political Attention Expected as City Debates Solutions

Toronto City Council’s Economic and Community Development Committee is scheduled to review the report and discuss future shelter and housing strategies on Wednesday. The city has formally reached out to both Ontario and the federal government, stressing that the scope of the crisis cannot be solved by municipal resources alone.

For continuous coverage and real-time updates, keep following Maple News Wire.

The post Toronto Homeless Population Hits 15,400, Sparks Crisis Alarm first appeared on Maple News Wire.

Population Sees Minimal Increase

Canada’s population grew by only 20,107 people from January 1 to April 1, 2025, marking an almost flat growth rate of 0.0%, according to new figures released by Statistics Canada. This marks the second-slowest growth rate ever recorded since data collection began in 1946, surpassed only by the decline seen during the third quarter of 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

National Total Reaches 41.5 Million

The latest data places Canada’s population at 41,548,787. The increase in the first quarter of 2025 was the smallest since the country experienced a rare contraction during the pandemic. A combination of reduced immigration intake and natural population decline—with 5,628 more deaths than births—has contributed to this historic stagnation.

Federal Immigration Policies Impacting Growth

This slowdown marks the sixth consecutive quarter of decelerating growth, aligning with the federal government’s 2024 decision to reduce temporary and permanent immigration levels. While 104,256 immigrants were admitted in Q1 2025, this was the lowest first-quarter total in four years. In contrast, net emigration—the difference between people leaving and entering—stood at 17,410.

Non-Permanent Residents See Major Drop

One of the most significant shifts came from a decline of 61,111 non-permanent residents, reflecting stricter caps on international students and temporary foreign workers. Although immigration still accounted for all of the country’s net growth, it was insufficient to offset broader demographic trends.

Government Justifies Adjustments

The 2025–27 Immigration Levels Plan, released last October by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, set new targets and included limitations on non-permanent categories. The government noted a need to “align immigration with community capacity” in response to post-pandemic housing and infrastructure strains, while still recognizing the essential role of newcomers in economic growth and labour support.

Long-Term Outlook Still Immigration-Driven

Despite the current lull, immigration remains Canada’s primary driver of population growth, with historical trends showing higher numbers than pre-2022 levels. Experts suggest the long-term trajectory remains dependent on how future policies balance economic needs with social capacity.

For continuous coverage and real-time updates, keep following Maple News Wire.

The post Canada’s Population Growth Hits Historic Low in 2025 first appeared on Maple News Wire.