No. 3 - Many seniors in all provinces

Seniors account for a substantial share of the population in all provinces. In 2000, 14% of people in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba were aged 65 and over, as were 13% of residents of each of British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario; 12% of those in Newfoundland; and 10% in Alberta.

In terms of absolute numbers, however, most seniors live in one of the four largest provinces. In fact, in 2000, 84% of all Canadians aged 65 and over lived in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia or Alberta.

At the same time, seniors make up somewhat smaller shares of the population in the territories. In 2000, just 5% of residents in the Yukon, 4% of those in the Northwest Territories, and 3% of those in Nunavut were aged 65 and over.

While the share of seniors in Alberta is smaller than in other provinces, Alberta is the recipient of the largest net inflow of senior interprovincial immigrants. In 1999-2000, over 650 more people aged 65 and over moved into Alberta than moved out. There was also a net in-flow of around 600 seniors into Ontario that year.

Seniors as a percentage of the population, 2000

Source: Statistics Canada