Locals weigh in on data that shows Greater Victoria has lowest birthrate in Canada
This is part one of CTV News Vancouver Island's three-part series Shifting Focus: Families, Fertility and the Future.
Hundreds of thousands of babies are born in Canada every year – but out of the country’s largest metropolitan areas, Greater Victoria reports the fewest. In fact, many women aren’t having children at all.
"I just realized it wasn’t something that I wanted enough that I think would make me a good parent," said Maija McKenzie of her decision not to have kids.
"If we had one or two children, we would owe them more space," she added. "We would owe them childcare eventually, as we both work. And I just don’t think it would be very financially feasible if we want to maintain the lifestyle that we have."
The administrator is far from alone.
Statistics Canada data shows that birthrates have been falling in Canada since 2008. Nationally, the most recent data from 2021 shows women are having an average of 1.4 children.
In B.C.’s capital region, the total fertility rate is at a historic low of 0.95 – or fewer than one child per woman.
"Victoria is remarkable," said Don Kerr, a demographer at King’s University College at Western University. "Victoria has the lowest proportion of its population under the age of five, across 41 CMAs (census metropolitan area). And Nanaimo’s not far behind."
Many factors play into a woman's decision not to have children, says Victoria resident Joanna Witham.
"It looks different having kids nowadays," she said.
Witham says she savors her tranquil morning routines and the flexibility that a child-free life has afforded her. But they’re not the only factors behind her choice.
She’s never envisioned having her own kids, and she’s concerned about global issues like climate change.
"If you live in a city like Victoria or this area, I think people are a lot more conscious," she said. "There are a lot of people in this world and we’ve clearly affected what’s going on with it."
A South Island group working to bolster the region’s economic and social prosperity says declining birth rates are a reality that's under watch, with economic effects.
"You say, 'OK well how do we then sustain our society and sustain our tax base and keep our pension funds?" said Dallas Gislason with South Island Prosperity Partnership. "And immigration is absolutely key to that."
With lower birth rates, Kerr says our population continues to age.
"Most demographers suggest that at a national level, we’ll probably inevitably see over the next 15 years or so, one-in-four Canadians over the age of 65," he said.
For McKenzie and Witham, they’re grateful their decision to not have kids has largely come with the respect of others.
"Having children is probably one of the biggest decisions you could make with your life," says McKenzie.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.