Today is the day Canada’s population hits 40 million

Canada is about to hit a major population milestone.

According to Statistics Canada (StatCan), the country’s population, which is growing at “a record-setting pace,” will hit 40 million today.

"This is an exciting milestone for Canada," says Chief Statistician Anil Arora. "It is a strong signal that Canada remains a dynamic and welcoming country, full of potential. As we head into Canada Day, this is certainly cause for celebration!"

You can track the momentous occasion in real time by checking out StatCan population clock, which showed Canada was less than 500 people away from 40 million at the time this story was written.

StatCan says that Canada’s population rose by more than one million in 2022, the first time in history the country’s population has increased by that much in a single year.

It’s the highest annual population growth rate since 1957. Back then, it was attributed to the post-war baby boom, but almost all the growth accounted for in 2022 is due to international migration.

“Canada is by far leading the G7 countries for population growth,” StatCan notes.”This was certainly true in 2022 and has been the case for the last two decades.”

In an emailed statement to NowMedia in June, StatCan called the milestone a “moment to mark and celebrate,” and said there are plans in the works to do just that.

“You can expect to see a number of activities and products to recognize this important milestone, including those that explain how we reached this milestone and what it could mean for the future of Canada,” the agency noted.

When the milestone is hit, StatsCan will celebrate with videos, articles, podcasts and more that will be released through its various platforms.

The agency is also working with other federal government departments to highlight the important moment in history.

The first national census of Canada was taken in 1871 and the population was 3,689,257.

Canada surpassed 10-million people in the late 1920s, reached the 20-million milestone in the mid-1960s and hit the 30-million mark in 1998.