New data shows record stretch of people leaving B.C. for other provinces and many are headed to Alberta

B.C. has recorded its largest period of interprovincial migration losses in 20 years, with a net of more than 12,800people moving elsewhere in Canada since July 2022, according to Statistics Canada.

It's the first time in a decade B.C. has seen15 months in a row of more people moving out-of-province than it gains and most are moving to Alberta in the exodus, Statistics Canadasaid Tuesday.

From July to September 2023, B.C. lost a net 4,634 people to other provinces, itssecond-greatest quarterly dipsince 2004. That quarter, 17,186 left B.C. for another province or territory while 12,552 people moved to B.C. from elsewhere in Canada.

That single quarter of lossesaccounts fornearly as many people as the 4,700gone inB.C.'slast five-quarter stretch of net losses to other provinces that endedin 2013.

However, B.C. also saw a record numberof people arriving from outside Canada, far outweighing its losses to other provinces and the territories.

It added a net 66,100 international migrantslast quarter and151,437so far in 2023, an increase is largely driven by non-permanent residents, according to Statistics Canada.

In all, B.C.'s 5.6 millionpopulation has risen approximately 4.2 per cent in the last year.

B.C.'s interprovincial losses last quarter are second only to Ontario whose population is nearly triple that of B.C. which lost 5,952people, on net, to other provinces during the same period, according to data from Statistics Canada.

And itappears B.C.'s interprovincial losses have been its eastern neighbour's gains: Alberta was the only province whose population increased significantlyfrom interprovincial moves last quarter, adding 17,094 people to its 4.7 million residents.

Alberta has now recorded gains of more than 10,000 people from elsewhere in Canadafor five quarters in a row.

"Most of Alberta's population gains through inter-provincial migration were due to its exchanges with Ontario and British Columbia," Statistics Canadasaid in a release.

Alberta's government said Tuesday it hadended the "Alberta is Calling" advertisements it began in 2022, boasting "bigger paycheques" and "smaller rent cheques" to convince Canadiansto make the move.

However rents in Alberta, particularly in Calgary, have also risen with its growingpopulation.

WATCH | CBC's Justin McElroy breaks down new B.C. population data with charts!

More people leaving B.C. for the rest of Canada, new data shows

9 months ago

Duration 1:30

New Statistics Canada data shows greater numbers of British Columbians moving to other places in Canada, rather than the other way around. As Justin McElroy reports, the provincial government isn't showing concern because of higher immigration numbers.

B.C. housing minister praises 'history-making' growth

B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon saysdespite the losses to Alberta,Statistics Canada's Tuesday report is a positive one for the province.

"Yes, we've seen some people leave the province in their inter-provincial migration but overall, the growth in population that we've seen in the last quarter but [also] over the last two years is history-making given that the growth is driven by people coming from outside Canada," he told CBC News in an interview Tuesday.

"People are coming, they see opportunity here [and] they're coming."

But Kahlon said he is still concernedwhen British Columbianscite the rising costs of living and record rents the highest on average in Canada as their reasons for looking elsewhere.

"My biggest worry is talent leaving outside of North America, outside of British Columbia, outside of Canada, to other jurisdictions because they can't afford it," he said, noting the NDP's recent legislative changes aimed at increasing the amount of rental housing being built.

"It's vitally important that we have the infrastructure, the housing, the health care, the schools to support that type of [population] growth."

While he's optimistic,Kahlon saidCanadians won't be seeing a "B.C. Beckons" campaign anytime soon.

"People already know it's a good place to put down roots," he said.