Maxime Bernier says population decline is better than mass immigration. Here’s why.
Bernier says a smaller population isn’t the crisis—soaring housing costs, stagnant wages and an immigration-dependent economy are.
While Ottawa’s political class warns that a shrinking population threatens Canada’s future, People’s Party Leader Maxime Bernier says the greater danger is importing millions more people to prop up a failing economic model.
Canada’s population fell for a third consecutive quarter in early 2026, fuelling a renewed fight over mass immigration, housing affordability and the country’s collapsing birth rate.
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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Bernier says the reversal exposes the failure of successive Liberal governments to address why young Canadians increasingly cannot afford homes, children or financial stability.
“It is clear that immigration is not the solution to the demographic dilemma,” Bernier wrote Saturday on X.
