Calgary to see massive population growth in 2023: Statistics Canada

New figures from Statistics Canada detail the Calgary region's staggering growth in 2023.

The area grew by 96,000 people, or about six per cent, last year, with 1.68 million people now living in the Calgary Metropolitan Area, which includes Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere, parts of Rocky View County and the Tsu Tina Nation.

The city saw the biggest increase last year Among the largest cities in Canada — Ottawa and Montreal more than double.

• Calgary (CMA) – 5.9%
• Edmonton (CMA) – 4.1%
• Vancouver (CMA) – 4.1%
• Toronto (CMA) – 3.3%
• Montreal (CMA) – 2.9%
• Ottawa-Gatineau (CMA) – 2.6%

Much of the growth can be attributed to people from other countries moving to the city, but Calgary saw more than 25,000 people arrive from other provinces, the largest in the country and the highest in the city since 2001-2002.

Alberta also overtook BC as a province the largest gain from interprovincial immigration.

10th district. Andre Chabot was asked about population growth at City Hall on Wednesday. He said building the infrastructure to accommodate the new numbers is a challenge for councillors.

“People don't come here with fire engines and police cars, and pipes and sewage treatment plants,” he says. “We have a lot of big projects right now to meet the needs of those new citizens.”

Chabot was asked if population growth means taxes should rise at budget time when inflation affects population growth.

“No, no,” he replied. “This increase will generate additional revenue.”

Later approval of citywide redistricting last weekHousing is still in focus as Calgary's Infrastructure and Planning Committee considers new developments.

Zoning changes allow townhouses or townhouses to be built alongside single-family homes and duplexes in many communities. The city hopes the move will ease the housing crisis by speeding up approvals and facilitating more housing options across the city.

The Calgary metropolitan area has grown by nearly 180,000 since 2019.