Canada’s fertility rate has hit an all-time low, sparking concern among experts and politicians about the long-term sustainability of the nation’s population.
Leslyn Lewis, a Canadian lawyer and politician, said mass immigration should not be treated as a substitute for a society that struggles to support families.
“Canada now has one of the lowest fertility rates in the world,” Lewis posted on X.
She added: “When fertility stats are below replacement level (about 2.1 children per woman), populations shrink putting the nation’s long term survival at risk.”
She warned that governments often rely on immigration to fill gaps left by a declining population, but argued this is not a real solution.
Lewis said: “Mass immigration has become the Liberal government’s default response. But it’s a substitute, not a solution. A healthy society doesn’t rely on permanent emergency measures. It creates conditions where people can afford stability, and feel confident welcoming children into their lives.”
Canada now has one of the lowest fertility rates in the world.When fertility stats are below replacement level (about 2.1 children per woman), populations shrink putting the nation’s long term survival at risk.
When countries stop having enough children, governments panic,… pic.twitter.com/J4q6Czkd5k
— Dr. Leslyn Lewis (@LeslynLewis) February 1, 2026
Canada's fertility rate: 1.25 children per woman
Statistics Canada confirmed the decline. According to its 2024 Survey on Family Transitions, Canada’s total fertility rate fell to a record-low 1.25 children per woman, placing the country in the “ultra-low fertility” category. Other countries in this group include Switzerland, Luxembourg, Finland, Italy, Japan, Singapore and South Korea.
The decline shows decades of social and economic changes, the agency said.
Statistics Canada noted: “Increased educational levels, greater participation in the labour market, changing social norms and the widespread use of contraception have contributed to diversifying life paths, notably in terms of childbearing."
Women are having children later, with the average age at first birth reaching 31.8 years in 2024. Although many women eventually want children, the likelihood decreases with age. Among women aged 20 to 49 without children, 51.7 per cent said they want at least one child, with two in three in their twenties hoping to become mothers, but only four in ten in their thirties.
Education, work, religion and immigration status also influence fertility. University graduates and employed women are less likely to have children, while married women and those practising religion are more likely. Landed immigrants contributed significantly to births, with more than half of Canadian-born women aged 20 to 49 having no children compared with 44.6 per cent of immigrant women. Cultural differences also play a role, with West Asian and Chinese women more likely to remain childless compared with Latin American and Arab women.
Lewis said social factors affecting family growth, including “sky-high housing costs, economic insecurity, limited support for parents and a culture that increasingly treats family as an afterthought.”
She said immigration should “complement a strong society, not compensate for one that has forgotten how to sustain itself.”
Who is Leslyn Lewis?
Leslyn Lewis is a Canadian lawyer, politician, and Conservative Party leadership candidate. She serves as the Member of Parliament for Haldimand–Norfolk. Lewis is known for her socially conservative views, advocacy on family and religious issues, and public commentary on policies including immigration, fertility, and the role of government in supporting families.
