Canadian Provinces by Population 2026

QC NL BC NU NT NB NS SK AB PE YT MB ON
Population

< 100K

100K

500K

1M

2.5M

5M

Top 5 Most Populous Provinces

Province
2026 Q1 Pop.
2022 Pop.
2016 Pop.
2011 Pop.
Annual Change
Ontario16,136,48015,262,66013,448,49412,851,8211.4%
Quebec9,033,8878,751,3528,164,3617,903,0000.8%
British Columbia5,658,5285,368,2664,648,0554,400,0571.33%
Alberta5,048,1514,601,3144,067,1753,645,2572.34%
Manitoba1,505,1171,420,2281,278,3651,208,2681.46%
Saskatchewan1,265,9361,205,1191,098,3521,053,9601.24%
Nova Scotia1,090,0741,030,953923,598921,7271.4%
New Brunswick867,383820,786747,101751,1711.39%
Newfoundland548,557528,818519,716514,5360.92%
Prince Edward Island182,001172,707142,907140,2041.32%

Differences Between Province and Territory

Province A self-governing region of Canada that derives its powers directly from the Constitution Act of 1867, with jurisdiction over areas like education, healthcare, and property rights while functioning as a co-sovereign division within the Canadian federation.
Territory A region of Canada that receives its powers through federal legislation rather than the Constitution, administered with greater federal oversight and typically characterized by smaller populations and larger federal funding per capita to support development and services.

Province Powers vs Federal Powers

Canada's federal system divides powers between the Federal Government and 10 Provincial Governments. This distribution of powers is outlined in the Constitution Act, 1867, and has evolved through court interpretations and constitutional amendments.

Provincial Powers
Federal Powers
EducationNational Defense
HealthcareCurrency and Banking
TransportationImmigration and Citizenship
Property and Civil RightsPostal Service
Natural ResourcesInternational and Interprovincial Trade
Administration of JusticeFisheries
Municipal InstitutionsIndigenous Affairs
Labor RelationsCriminal Law
Liquor LicensingTelecommunications
Provincial Civil ServiceInterprovincial Transportation

It's important to note that while this table provides a general overview, the actual distribution of powers is more complex. Some areas, such as agriculture, immigration, old-age pensions, and supplementary benefits, are shared between the federal and provincial governments. In cases of conflict in shared jurisdictions, federal law typically prevails for agriculture and immigration, while provincial law prevails for old-age pensions.

Provinces and Territories

Ontario

Population
16,136,480
Known For
Niagara Falls

Wild & Sophisticated

Ontario is Canada’s most populous province, home to Toronto, Ottawa, and the famous Niagara Falls. It has a diverse economy, from finance and tech to vast agricultural regions.

Quebec

Population
9,033,887
Known For
French culture

Wild & Sophisticated

Quebec is Canada’s French-speaking province, rich in history and European-style architecture. Its capital, Quebec City, is the only walled city in North America.

British Columbia

Population
5,658,528
Known For
Pacific coastline

Wild & Sophisticated

British Columbia boasts breathtaking coastal scenery, with lush rainforests and rugged shorelines. Vancouver is one of Canada's most diverse and vibrant cities.

Alberta

Population
5,048,151
Known For
Rocky Mountains

Wild & Sophisticated

Alberta is famous for its stunning Rocky Mountain landscapes, home to Banff and Jasper National Parks. It is also a major hub for Canada's oil industry.

Manitoba

Population
1,505,117
Known For
Polar bears

Wild & Sophisticated

Manitoba is home to Churchill, the 'Polar Bear Capital of the World,' attracting visitors from around the globe. The province also features vast prairies and over 100,000 lakes.

Saskatchewan

Population
1,265,936
Known For
Wheat fields

Wild & Sophisticated

Saskatchewan is known for its endless golden wheat fields and open skies. It is a major agricultural hub and one of the sunniest provinces in Canada.

Nova Scotia

Population
1,090,074
Known For
Lighthouses

Wild & Sophisticated

Nova Scotia is famous for its scenic coastal drives, historic towns, and over 150 lighthouses. The province is also known for its seafood, particularly lobster and scallops.

New Brunswick

Population
867,383
Known For
Bay of Fundy

Wild & Sophisticated

New Brunswick is known for the Bay of Fundy, which has the highest tides in the world. It is also the only officially bilingual province in Canada.

Newfoundland

Population
548,557
Known For
Icebergs

Wild & Sophisticated

Newfoundland and Labrador offer dramatic coastal landscapes where icebergs drift south from the Arctic. St. John's is North America’s oldest city, filled with colorful row houses and maritime history.

Prince Edward Island

Population
182,001
Known For
Red beaches

Wild & Sophisticated

Prince Edward Island is Canada’s smallest province, known for its red sand beaches and rolling farmland. It is also the setting of the famous novel 'Anne of Green Gables.'

Yukon

Population
48,218
Known For
Gold rush

Wild & Sophisticated

Yukon was the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1800s. Today, it offers stunning wilderness and is home to Canada’s tallest peak, Mount Logan.

Northwest Territory

Population
45,803
Known For
Northern lights

Wild & Sophisticated

The Northwest Territories is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. It is also home to Great Bear Lake, the largest lake entirely in Canada.

Nunavut

Population
41,946
Known For
Arctic tundra

Wild & Sophisticated

Nunavut is Canada’s newest and largest territory, covering a vast Arctic landscape. It is home to Inuit communities, who maintain strong cultural traditions in one of the world's most remote regions.