People from other countries, not other parts of Canada, are the new engine fuelling Alberta's population growth, which Statistics Canada said was the strongest in Canada in the first three months of 2008.

Alberta's population grew by approximately 14,000 people from January to March, a net increase of 0.41 per cent.

A total of 5,300 immigrants and 4,000 non-permanent residents moved to the province in that period — a first-quarter record on both counts. Non-permanent residents include refugee claimants and people who come to Canada on work or study permits.

In comparison, net migration to Alberta from other provinces was only 713 people, a slight increase from the last six months of 2007, which saw a net outflow of people from other parts of Canada.

In the first quarter of 2007, Alberta had a net population growth of 7,384 people from other provinces.

Peak migration from other parts of Canada took place in the months of July, August and September 2006, which saw a net increase of 24, 535 people from other provinces.

Saskatchewan had the second highest population growth in the first quarter of this year, showing a 0.35 per cent increase.

In recent years, many people from Newfoundland and Saskatchewan moved to Alberta in search of new opportunities, but new resource booms in those provinces mean that after years of losing residents, their populations are now growing, Statistics Canada said.