It seems that immigrants as well as temporary migrants play an important role in Canada’s demographic pattern, besides their contribution to the Canadian economy. According to the reports from Statistics Canada, in the third quarter of 2009, the country’s population increased by 133,500, largely contributed by foreign migrants.

The aforesaid gain was the strongest demographic growth in the third quarter since 1990. From July to October, Canada welcomed a total number of 90,500 international migrants, which accounted for more than two third of the population growth. In the third quarter of 2008, overseas migrants totaled 90,000.

Amongst all the states in Canada, stronger demographic growth was recorded in Western provinces. However, this does not mean that other states did not welcome immigrants. Almost every province and territory in Canada saw demographic growth, barring the Northwest Territories.

To be very precise, British Columbia’s population grew by over 0.56% in the third quarter of 2009. During the same period, the province also recorded the largest inter-provincial migration gain since the third quarter of 2007. Similarly, Alberta’s population increased by 0.44%. Some other provinces that saw significant population growth in the third quarter of 2009 include Saskatchewan (0.47%) and Manitoba (0.35%).

Ontario also saw an increase of 0.38% in the third quarter, however the province’s inter-provincial migration declined to a record level since 2002. Quebec’s population also increased by 0.36%, mainly due to the flow of international migrants! This was highest population growth rate for Quebec since 1988!