BC Loses Thousands to Alberta Amid Cost and Wage Strain
(Image courtesy of CBC)
British Columbia is losing residents to other provinces at a pace not seen in a generation, according to a new report from the Business Council of BC (BCBC), with record-high outmigration driven by cost-of-living pressures, stagnant wages, and deepening frustration with public services.
The council reports that nearly 70,000 people left BC for other parts of Canada over the past year—surpassing all previous records. Net interprovincial migration has turned sharply negative, a reversal of the longstanding trend in which BC attracted more residents than it lost.
The last time outmigration approached this level was in 1998, when just over 64,000 people left the province. This time, the exodus is being led by young, educated, working-age adults, most often relocating to Alberta, where housing costs are lower, taxes are lighter, and incomes are higher.
Migration data from BCBC shows that since late 2022, more than 30,000 British Columbians have moved to Alberta each year, well above the historical average. The demographic shift has potential long-term implications for the province’s economy, tax base, and labour market competitiveness.
The trend is reinforced by a province-wide consultation conducted by BCBC earlier this year, in which thousands of residents described a mounting sense of disillusionment with economic conditions. Concerns were consistent across all age groups and regions, with four key issues cited: unaffordable housing, excessive taxation and regulation, stagnant wages, and declining public services.
Housing and affordability topped the list, cited by 36 percent of respondents. Another 28 percent pointed to taxes and regulation, while 23 percent raised concerns about weak job creation and wages not keeping pace with inflation. Roughly 18 percent flagged inadequate public services, particularly in healthcare and transportation.
Economic stagnation
The BCBC report emphasizes that these issues are widely shared across age groups and communities, based on responses gathered from thousands of residents. Respondents described a broad feeling of economic stagnation, with many saying they are working harder yet falling further behind. The council noted a rising sense of resignation among residents, particularly those nearing retirement who cannot afford to stop working, and younger families priced out of the housing market.
The report also draws attention to the fiscal impact of the demographic outflow. Individuals aged 25 to 39 comprise the bulk of BC’s outbound migrants, groups that typically pay more in taxes than they consume in public services. Their departure is expected to place added strain on government budgets in the years ahead, as fewer workers support an aging population and already-stressed service infrastructure.
While affordability remains the core pressure, BCBC argues that the broader economic environment is a significant factor. On a per capita basis, BC has experienced what the council describes as a “recession” for the past two years. Investment has lagged, and the province’s ability to attract and retain both talent and capital is weakening.
