Canada’s population now surpasses 34 million, with growth in western provinces leading the way, Statistics Canada reported this morning.
The national numbers agency said in a statement:
“Canada’s population has surpassed the 34-million mark. As of April 1, 2010, the population was estimated at 34,019,000, an increase of 88,100 (+0.26%) from January 1, 2010. All four western provinces had growth rates stronger than the national average.”
Prince Edward Island also experienced its largest first-quarter population increase since 1983 in the first quarter of 2010. The island’s population grew by 0.23% to 141,600. Nova Scotia, on the other hand, experienced a 0.03% drop to 940,5000.
Meanwhile, Western Canada’s population is booming. British Columbia’s numbers reached 4,510,900, while Alberta weighed in with 3,724,800 residents. Manitoba followed with an estimated population of 1,232,700 — the province’s fastest reported first-quarter growth rate since 1972. Saskatchewan boasts more than a million residents (1,041,700), a 0.36% gain.