The Financial Post reports in its Wednesday, Oct. 1, edition that Canada's population growth ground almost to a halt in the second quarter of 2025. The Post's Serah Louis writes that diminished population growth will affect more than just labour and housing. CIBC economist Benjamin Tal says this slowdown in immigration and population growth means reduced potential for economic growth. He says, "Canada needs immigrants like oxygen, but it was simply too much of a good thing." Mr. Tal says Canada's infrastructure could not keep up with rapidly rising numbers in recent years. The Post says researchers do not see this halted population growth rate as a sign of a permanent shift in Canada's demographics. University of Toronto economics professor Nathaniel Baum-Snow says, "The current government is trying to calibrate the immigration flow so that there is a slowly growing population." The Post says population growth slowdown, especially if sustained, could have repercussions for business hiring in the future. RBC assistant economist Cynthia Leach says Canada is careening toward a tighter labour market. Mr. Tal says the service industry could be most affected by the federal government's tightened immigration policy.