Toronto and its surrounding urbanized area are now inhabited by a population of over 7 million, a recent report from Statistics Canada confirms.

Published Thursday, Jan. 16, Statistics Canada's annual population estimates report shows that the Toronto census metropolitan area has crossed a major milestone, as the population of the area surpasses 7 million for the first time.

What is perhaps most staggering about this population growth is the speed with which it happened.

Data from the past five years shows a gradual growth — notwithstanding a small dip in 2020 — between 2019 and 2022, increasing from 6,426,293 to 6,582,012 over those years, representing a growth of just over 150,000.

The following year, in 2023, the area saw an unprecedented growth of over 250,000 as the population skyrocketed to 6.8 million, then a historical high. In 2024, the area beat its prior record with a year of growth that saw an increase of more than 270,000 people, settling at 7,106,379.

StatCan

Immigration can be attributed to a significant proportion of these population changes, with just under half a million newcomers welcomed to Canada in 2023, and just under 200,000 settling in Ontario, followed by roughly 400,000 in 2024, around 213,000 of which settled in the Toronto CMA.

The population of the city and surrounding areas may soon slow down, however, as a report released by Statistics Canada in December of 2024 claims that population growth in Canada has begun to show signs of slowing as net increases of non-permanent residents decrease quarter over quarter.

There's a good reason why this is happening.

The Federal government has recently tightened their immigration policies, making it more difficult for newcomers to enter the country as they slashed immigration targets by about 20 per cent in late 2024.

On top of that, restrictions have been put in place that may prevent some international students from receiving work permits during their studies as the Feds also consider placing a cap on the number of international students admitted into the country each year.

So, while 2023 and 2024 saw remarkable growth, it may soon be the end of an era.

The Toronto CMA is of Toronto, York and Peel regions, Ajax, Pickering, Uxbridge, West Gwillimbury, Bradford, Beeton, Tottenham, Mono, Orangeville and most of Halton region, minus Burlington.