Immigration fuels Alberta’s record-breaking population growth
Alberta has been experiencing record-breaking population growth. New data from the government of Alberta’s Office of Statistics and Information shows that the province has seen exponential growth in both its international and interprovincial immigration.
From April 2023 to April 24, the province’s population grew by 204,677 or 4.41%—marking the highest year-over-year growth rate in 2023-24 amongst all the provinces in Canada. The year-on-year growth rate during the same period for Canada as a whole was 3.20%.
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It shows a significant increase from the 3.67% growth rate Alberta experienced between 2022-23 and is also the highest year-over-year growth the province has experienced as of April 1 since 1981.
Much of Alberta’s population growth comes from international migration. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, international migration added 32,893 net new residents to Alberta. This includes both permanent, and temporary residents (those holding work or study permits or asylum claimants).
Alberta is also seeing strong net gains from interprovincial migration—people moving from other Canadian provinces such as Ontario, BC, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba.
According to Statistics Canada, from July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023, Alberta saw the highest net gains from people moving between provinces, surpassing British Columbia. All four major cities in Alberta grew significantly: Calgary gained 26,662 residents, Edmonton added 16,082, Lethbridge increased by 1,651, and Red Deer grew by 1,277 people.
In contrast, every major metropolitan area in Ontario saw a net loss from interprovincial migration during the 12 months leading up to July 1, 2023.
Why are so many newcomers choosing Alberta over other Canadian provinces?
As Statistics Canada points out, this influx is “in-line with the analysis from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s 2024 Housing Market Outlook” which indicates that more affordable home prices and a stronger economic outlook make the prairie provinces attractive to job seekers and home buyers – especially when compared to British Columbia and Ontario.
Relatively affordable housing
While the province has seen an increase in property prices in recent years, it is still seen as a more affordable option, especially when compared to cities in Ontario and B.C.
According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), in the second quarter of 2024, the median price for a single detached home in Calgary was $710,000, while townhouses cost $454,000, and apartments $330,000. In Edmonton (the second largest census metropolitan area in Alberta), the median price for a detached home was $485,000, townhouses were $294,500, and apartments were $188,000.
Additionally, Alberta does not have land transfer tax, making it a more affordable option for out-of-province homebuyers.
In comparison to Toronto (Ontario), the median sale price for a detached home was $1,300,000 in the second quarter of 2024. Semi-detached units were going for $1,041,000 while condominium apartments were going for $640,000.
Economic growth and changing job landscape
Alberta’s real gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to rise 3.3% in 2024, up 0.4 percentage points from Budget 2024.
According to the Business Council of Alberta’s report “Who’s Hiring in Alberta?” which uses publicly available job postings from 2018-23, Alberta’s labour market is no longer closely attached to the price of oil and gas, as was the case in previous years.
While demand for energy workers has “stabilized,” there has been increase in demand for trades and healthcare occupations which has “far outpaced population growth.”
The report also notes growth in job postings requiring a collage diploma or apprenticeship training. Tech skills such as business intelligence or data analysis may also be important to employers in the province. Meanwhile, postings for categories of engineering occupations fell more than 60%.
Earlier this year, the province launched a separate PNP stream for tourism and hospitality, indicating increased demand in that sector.
The province has also been focusing on healthcare professionals with a targeted Express Entry draws. Candidates may be eligible for permanent residence in Alberta through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) Dedicated Healthcare Pathway if they have a job offer in an eligible health care occupation in the province.
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Immigration fuels Alberta’s record-breaking population growth
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum