Canada’s population is shrinking, its birth rate has cratered and its economy is struggling to deliver higher living standards.
People’s Party Leader Maxime Bernier says Ottawa’s answer — importing more people to keep the population growing — is only making the underlying problems worse.
“It is clear that immigration is not the solution to the demographic dilemma,” Bernier wrote on X.
Maxime Bernier@MaximeBernier
“This year, Canada's population decreased, the first time since Confederation 160 years ago.
The reasons vary, but include a reduction in mass immigration, a very low birthrate and a stagnant economy sending ambitious Canadians to — horror of horrors! — the brutal nation just to
2:37 PM · Aug 1, 2026 · 32.9K Views
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Statistics Canada estimates Canada’s population fell by 55,025 in the first three months of 2026 — the third straight quarterly decline.
Meanwhile, Canada’s fertility rate has fallen to what StatsCan calls “ultra-low” levels, hitting a record low of 1.25 children per woman in 2024. Updated figures put the rate at 1.26 in both 2024 and 2025.
