The release of local population figures for 2023 confirmed our expectation that growth migrated back to the largest urban areas. Population growth in B.C.’s census metropolitan areas (CMAs) and census agglomerations (CAs) was robust between July 2022 and July 2023, driven largely by a surge in non-permanent residents. The combined population of the province’s CMAs increased by 3.6 per cent, the largest gain in at least 20 years, while total population in CAs increased by 1.3 per cent.

The Vancouver CMA was the fastest-growing area during the period with a population increase of 4.2 per cent. International newcomers, whether permanent or temporary, primarily settled in the largest urban markets. This represented a 119,650-person gain, and the strongest pace of growth since at least 2001-02. Victoria saw a 1.9-per-cent increase (8,059 people) in its population, a slowdown from a pace of 2.8 per cent in the prior period. Kelowna’s population grew by 2.9 per cent.

The mid-sized markets of Kamloops (2.6 per........

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