Although immigration to Prince Edward Island continues to rise, the provincial growth rate is slowing.
The numbers released by Statistics Canada in its quarterly population estimates show that for Q2 2024, PEI had a population of 177,081. This is only 919 more than Q1 for this year, and only 5,291 more than Q2 2023.
This is an increase of just over 3% in a year.
PEI, however, is not alone in this trend. Nova Scotia – another Atlantic Canadian province – had a percentage growth in population of 2.36% over the period of a year.
PEI is under the national growth rate of 3.2%, which is a surprising trend for it considering it has historically performed well in terms of population growth, according to CBC News’ Kevin Yarr.
In Q4 2023, for example, it had a growth rate of 4.0%. This fell to 3.7% in the first three months of 2023, and then underwent a second decrease this quarter.
Immigration to the province, nevertheless, has been strong during the same timeframe.
For Q1 2024, in fact, PEI welcomed 1,330 immigrants – the most ever in a first quarter.
The Q1 numbers have been on a steady rise each year. In Q1 2023, they were 1,274, and in Q1 2022, they were 652.
However, despite rising immigration numbers, the Atlantic Canadian province has been witnessing a rising number of immigration protests in recent days, with 75 foreign workers and their allies walking through Charlottetown last week to oppose the provincial government’s immigration policy changes.
Some protests have even been on since May 9, with protestors hoping to extend their work permits and gaining a Canada PR.
However, the minister told Rupinderpal Singh Bains – the protest organizer – that there will be no changes to the immigration policy for the “foreseeable future.”
“We strongly advise against resuming a hunger strike, as it will not lead to a change in the government’s decision and may endanger the health of those participating,” the letter to Singh Bains read.
The protest is largely a result of policy changes made in February that lower the chance of sales and service workers to be nominated for PR by PEI.
