New numbers from the Atlantic Province’s Economic Council (APEC) show population growth is on the rise in New Brunswick.
From 2016 to 2018, the population grew at a rate of 0.5 per cent annually, rates it hasn’t seen since the 90’s.
APEC says key factors in this change around the Maritimes has been a reduced outflow of people to Alberta since 2014, and increased international migration.
APEC also points out one trend has not changed: it’s population is older than Canada and continues to age faster. With more than 20% aged 65 years and older, there are now more Atlantic seniors than children and teenagers.
“The numbers have big implications for the demand for public and private services – particular continuing care,” said senior policy analyst for ACAP Frank Bergman in a release.
“It will also mean significant challenges for the regional labour force.”
Atlantic Canadians in their seventies are currently the fastest growing age group, followed by those in their eighties.
APEC says it’s too early to say whether these recent trends in population will be sustained, but the population of seniors in the region will not be decreasing anytime soon.
Port City Celebrates Growth
Saint John Mayor Don Darling says for him and for the Port City, it’s crucial to keep focus on long term growth planning in New Brunswick.
“It’s great to see the numbers moving a bit. Saint John has turned around about half of its population loss in the 2016 census, so about 12,000 people. That’s incredible news. While we’re celebrating, we also have to keep the long term in mind,” he said.
Darling, always the optimist, says why stop there?
“Why don’t we strive to be a million people? We’re 770,000 people today, let’s be a million people. Let’s set a bold target in New Brunswick and then let’s put all of the plans in place and the action in place to achieve that,” he said.
Darling says he and many others share that goal of growing to 1 million people, and the way to get there is to start setting a goal, and to keep looking forward.
He says while its important to celebrate achievements in growth, there is still work to be done.
“We’re not resting—we’re celebrating—but we’re also looking at all of our economic development activity right now, and we’re looking at the opportunity to build on the success, and align those activities under one roof.”
