Alberta is projected to potentially surpass British Columbia as Canada’s third most populous province by 2038, as per new data from Statistics Canada released on Tuesday. The agency examined various population scenarios for Canada, with the majority indicating that Alberta’s population will exceed British Columbia’s by 2050.
Jonathan Chagnon, a demographer at Statistics Canada, suggested that the shift could occur earlier than 2038 based on current trends, highlighting that external factors such as immigration policies could influence the outcome. Alberta is predicted to experience significant growth, with its population expected to range between 6.5 million and 8.1 million by 2050.
According to Mark Parsons, the chief economist at ATB Financial, two primary factors contributing to Alberta’s population growth are interprovincial migration and a higher number of births compared to deaths. This demographic advantage of a younger population is seen as beneficial for the economy, particularly as a considerable portion of the baby boomer generation retires.
Despite the positive outlook, challenges are anticipated due to the strain on infrastructure, educational institutions, and job opportunities. Scott Fash, the CEO of BILD Alberta, expressed confidence in the construction industry’s ability to accommodate the growth, emphasizing the importance of adequate land availability for development to prevent housing supply shortages and price spikes.
While the population surge has predominantly impacted major cities like Calgary and Edmonton, Fash emphasized the need for governments and the industry to shift their focus towards supporting mid-sized cities to alleviate pressure on the primary urban centers.
