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During the third quarter of 2012, Canada's population surpassed the 35 million mark and reached, according to preliminary population estimates, 35,002,400 on October 1, 2012. The population grew by 0.3% since July 1, 2012 and by 1.0% since January 1, 2012. Net international migration accounted for two-thirds (67.0%) of Canada's population growth for the third quarter of 2012.

In the third quarter of 2012, net international migration was estimated at 81,700, up from 80,600 in 2011. Slightly more than 66,900 immigrants arrived in Canada during the third quarter of 2012, 5,000 fewer than in the same quarter in 2011. The decline was offset by an increase in net flow of non-permanent residents between the third quarter of 2011 (+25,300) and 2012 (+31,500).

Natural increase was estimated at 40,300, down 3.6% from the same period in 2011. Gains in interprovincial migration were high in Alberta (+13,900) and Saskatchewan (+1,300).

Population growth in the provinces and territories

Preliminary estimates show that population growth was higher in western provinces. Alberta (+0.9%), Saskatchewan (+0.6%) and British Columbia (+0.4%) posted growth rates above the national average. Two territories also experienced higher than average growth rates: Nunavut (+1.0%) and Yukon (+0.7%).

Atlantic provinces

Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island were the only provinces in the Atlantic region to record an increase in their population.

With a growth of 900 people (+0.2%) in the third quarter, the population of Newfoundland and Labrador rose to 513,600 on October 1, 2012. The increase was mainly the result of gain in net international migration (+600), the highest level for a third quarter since 1971, the first year covered by the current system of demographic accounts.

The population of Prince Edward Island slightly increased (+0.1%) during the quarter; it was estimated at 146,200 on October 1, 2012. Gains in net international migration (+400) were offset by losses in net interprovincial migration (-400).

Nova Scotia recorded a population decline of 0.1% in the third quarter of 2012, to a total of 947,800 as of October 1, 2012. Since 1971, third-quarter population loss was recorded only once in 2006 for Nova Scotia. The population decline was the result of the largest loss in interprovincial migration (-2,000) for any quarter.

The population of New Brunswick was estimated at 755,300 on October 1, 2012, down by 600 (-0.1%) from July 1, 2012. The main contributor to the population decline was loss in interprovincial migration (-1,600). New Brunswick had not seen such large losses in its exchanges with other provinces since the third quarter of 2006. Preliminary estimates indicate that New Brunswick lost more than 700 people in migration exchanges with Alberta.

Central Canada

In the third quarter of 2012, Ontario (+0.3%) and Quebec (+0.3%) experienced a population growth comparable to the national average.

Quebec's population grew by 22,100 in the third quarter to an estimated 8,076,800 on October 1, 2012. This was the smallest third-quarter population growth since 2007, mainly owing to losses in net interprovincial migration (-1,900). Quebec posted an increase in net international migration in the third quarter of 2012 (+14,600) compared to the same quarter in 2011 (+12,000).

On October 1, 2012, Ontario's population was estimated at 13,546,100, an increase of 40,200 (+0.3%) compared with July 1, 2012. It was the province's smallest third-quarter population increase since 1993. The slowdown in the province's population growth was mainly attributable to its losses in interprovincial migration (-5,600). In the third quarter of 2012, Ontario lost almost 5,900 people in migration exchanges with Alberta.

Western Canada

In the third quarter of 2012, all western provinces had rate of population growth similar to or above the national average. Among provinces, Alberta (+0.9%) and Saskatchewan (+0.6%) posted the largest population increase.

Manitoba's population grew by 3,600 people (+0.3%) in the third quarter to an estimated 1,270,600 on October 1, 2012. This was the smallest third-quarter population growth since 2008. Net international migration (+3,200) was the main factor in the province's population growth during the quarter. However, these gains were partially offset by net losses in interprovincial migration exchanges (-1,200), mostly in exchanges with Alberta (-1,000).

With a growth of 6,600 people (+0.6%), Saskatchewan's population was estimated at 1,086,600 on October 1, 2012. The increase was the largest for a third quarter since 1971. Net international migration (+3,700) was the province's main factor of population growth.

Alberta posted a population growth of 33,100 (+0.9%) in the third quarter of 2012 to 3,906,800 as of October 1, 2012. Population increase had not been this high for any quarter, with the exception of the third quarter of 1980. This growth was mainly the result of net interprovincial migration (+13,900), with net gain with Ontario (+5,900) and British Columbia (+4,000).

British Columbia's population grew by 0.4% in the third quarter of 2012 to a total of 4,638,800 as of October 1, 2012. Net international migration (+15,100) was mainly responsible for the province's population growth. Over the third quarter of 2012, British Columbia posted a substantial increase in the number of non-permanent residents (+8,900), which was the highest level for any quarter since 1971. For the fifth quarter in a row, British Columbia also recorded losses in interprovincial migration (-2,700).

The territories

In Northern Canada, the populations of Yukon (0.7%) and Nunavut (1.0%) increased at a faster pace than the national average (0.3%) in the third quarter of 2012. The population of the Northwest Territories slightly decreased (-0.1%) during that period. As of October 1, 2012, preliminary estimates show that population levels were at 36,400 for Yukon, 43,300 for Northwest Territories and 34,000 for Nunavut.