A new report from Statistics Canada reveals that almost 70,000 people left British Columbia last year, with more than half of them relocating to Alberta. Many of these individuals cited financial reasons for their move, stating that they could no longer afford the cost of living in B.C. Paula Spurr, a former B.C. resident, explained that she and her partner decided to move to Alberta due to financial constraints, as they were struggling to maintain their desired lifestyle in Vancouver. They had experienced housing insecurities, including being illegally evicted and forced to pay significantly higher rent for subpar living conditions.
In response to the exodus of residents to Alberta, the neighbouring province launched the “Alberta is Calling” campaign in 2022, which aimed to attract individuals with promises of higher pay and a lower cost of living. This campaign has seemingly been successful, as Statistics Canada’s report noted that more people left B.C. for other provinces than moved to B.C. from other provinces for the first time in over a decade. Andy Yan, a city program director with Simon Fraser University, highlighted the difficulty in building a life in British Columbia, particularly in terms of housing affordability and overall quality of life.
Despite the outflow of residents to other provinces, British Columbia’s population still grew in 2023 by over 178,000 people, reaching a total of 5.6 million. This growth was partly due to the arrival of 70,000 immigrants from other countries. Premier David Eby acknowledged the challenges faced by young people in B.C. and emphasized the importance of providing them with opportunities to build a future in the province. He expressed the need for accessible child care, affordable housing, and manageable costs to enable individuals to establish their lives in B.C.
Paula Spurr and her partner, while initially saddened by their decision to leave B.C., are optimistic about their future in Alberta. They were able to find a nicer rental property for the same price they were paying in B.C., indicating a better quality of life in their new location. However, Spurr also expressed concern about the drastic change in their financial situation, noting that they went from being middle class to below the poverty line due to the high cost of living in B.C. This disparity in affordability has forced many residents to make difficult decisions about their living situations.
Overall, the trend of residents leaving British Columbia for other provinces highlights the pressing issue of housing affordability and the cost of living in the region. The “Alberta is Calling” campaign, along with other factors, has influenced many individuals to seek opportunities elsewhere due to financial constraints. As policymakers and community leaders work to address these challenges, the goal remains to provide residents, especially young people, with the resources and support needed to thrive and build a future in British Columbia.
