Prince Edward Island has provided a shining example to the rest of Atlantic Canada that it is possible to turn around an aging population through immigration.
Canada’s smallest province has boosted its population of under 45-year-olds to 76,516 in 2016, greater than 2013 levels and significantly more than 2015 numbers.
It is one of only two Atlantic provinces (the other being Nova Scotia), to have a greater 2016 population of under-45s than 2015, as immigration policies aimed at countering its aging population and shrinking labour force start to take hold.
Source: Statistics Canada
The island province is still struggling to retain the 18-24-year-old demographic, but made significant gains in under 18s and 25-44-year-olds, suggesting it is successfully attracting young families.
Population of Prince Edward Island by Age-Group
| Age range | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
| 0 to 17 years | 28,755 | 28,357 | 28,161 | 28,078 | 28,346 |
| 18 to 24 years | 13,677 | 13,694 | 13,641 | 13,521 | 13,388 |
| 25 to 44 years | 34,714 | 34,268 | 34,163 | 34,203 | 34,782 |
Source: Statistics Canada
It is not all bad news for the rest of Atlantic Canada, a region associated with having the fastest aging population in the whole of the country.
The overall population of under-45s looked likely to drop beneath the over-45s for the first time in 2016, but immigration has helped buck that trend.
Atlantic Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs
While the over-45s population is still growing at the same rate, the rate at which the under-45s are shrinking has reduced dramatically, meaning it fell only 0.1 per cent in 2016.
Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia are leading the way in reversing the trend
Source: Statistics Canada
Both Newfoundland & Labrador and New Brunswick are already on the other side, with more in the older age bracket than the younger one.
Where Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia have succeeded is in attracting young families, and their neighbours will be hoping to follow suit in the years to come.
Source: Statistics Canada
Source: Statistics Canada
Atlantic Canada’s provincial premiers and the federal government jointly announced an initiative to welcome 2,000 more skilled immigrants under their Provincial Nominee Programs from 2017.
The move will see an almost 50 per cent rise in the number of candidates welcomed to New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland & Labrador.
Those numbers could increase in 2018 and 2019 if the expansion is viewed as a success.
The new immigrants are expected to be chosen based on the skills required by the respective provinces.
It is part of a new Atlantic Growth Strategy, aimed at boosting the economy in eastern Canada in five priority areas:
- Skilled workforce and immigration
- Innovation
- Clean growth and climate change
- Trade and investment
- Infrastructure
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