Canada’s population grew by 0.36 per cent over the second quarter of 2009, in large part due to immigration, Statistics Canada reported on Tuesday.

The population grew by 121,200, with a net international migration of 84,800.

Alberta led the country, with 20,000 new immigrants, or 0.59 per cent. Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia also saw larger-than-average population growth from April to June of 2009.

The success of Provincial Nomination Programs in those provinces has been a major factor in their population growth over the past few years.

Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada’s smallest province, welcomed 850 new immigrants in the second quarter of 2009 alone, which is proportionally the highest gain among all the provinces.

"In small places like PEI, the population isn't going to grow by birth of children, so the province has really taken on the role of immigration in a very serious way," said Dan Doran, board member of the PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada.