Exploring the Impact of Non-Permanent Residents on Canada’s Housing Market
A recent report by Statistics Canada sheds light on the limited involvement of non-permanent residents (NPRs) in Canada’s housing market, contrary to common beliefs surrounding immigration and housing affordability.
Released on December 11, 2025, the report reveals that NPRs constituted less than 1% of all homeowners in Canada at the beginning of 2022.
Insights from the Report
NPRs encompass individuals with temporary permits, such as work or study permits, and those with refugee status as of December 31, 2021.
Based on 2022 data from the Canadian Housing Statistics Program, the report covers most provinces, excluding Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, and Quebec, with no data available for the territories due to sample size limitations.
Proportion of NPR Homeowners in Canada
Despite variations among provinces, NPRs represented a minute fraction of Canada’s homeowner population, with shares below 0.5% across all provinces.
Prince Edward Island reported the highest NPR homeowner percentage, while Alberta had the lowest.
Here is a breakdown of NPR homeownership percentages by province:
- Prince Edward Island: 0.39%
- Manitoba: 0.25%
- Nova Scotia: 0.17%
- British Columbia: 0.13%
- Ontario: 0.13%
- New Brunswick: 0.10%
- Alberta: 0.10%
Most NPR homeowners were concentrated in major cities like Charlottetown and Calgary, emphasizing their minimal presence in the overall ownership market.
Even in provinces with higher NPR proportions, their impact on total homeownership remains insignificant.
Homeownership Rates among NPRs
The report also highlights the notably low homeownership rates among NPRs themselves, underscoring their limited participation in Canada’s housing market.