Record Emigration from Canada Driven by Ontario and B.C. Housing Woes
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Canada is experiencing a record surge in permanent departures (emigration), with 27,100 people officially leaving in Q1 2025—marking the second‑highest first‑quarter figure on record, only behind 2017. Crucially, the majority of these emigrants are departing from Canada’s most expensive provinces. Ontario accounted for 50.8% of all departures (13,600 individuals), although it only represents 38.8% of the national population—a 12-point overrepresentation. British Columbia followed with 20.4% (5,500 emigrants), also a record Q1 outflow for the province.
Other provinces are also seeing rising numbers: Alberta contributed 12.1% (3,300 emigrants), Quebec 10.2% (3,300), Manitoba and Saskatchewan saw smaller but notable increases, and Atlantic provinces remain minor but growing sources. Alberta’s departure rate, while concerning, aligns with its population share and stems from high youth mobility and interprovincial net gains. In contrast, Ontario and BC’s outsized share raises concerns about talent retention and demographic trends.
One key driver appears to be the steep cost of housing in Ontario and BC. The correlation between expensive real estate markets and high emigration is striking—these two provinces, which are also seeing population shrinkage and interprovincial exodus, are fueling the national emigration spike. The thought process seems clear: when housing affordability becomes out of reach and prospects elsewhere are comparable, many Canadians opt to leave—not just for other provinces, but for other countries entirely.
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