Number of people leaving B.C. for Alberta reaches 20-year high
The number of people moving from British Columbia to Alberta has reached a 20-year high, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada.
Data from the 2021-2022 year shows that more than 28,000 people migrated from B.C. to Alberta, the highest total in the past two decades.
Some locals who made the move say affordability was the main reason.
"I wanted to retire and I just couldn't in Victoria," said Kathy Blanchard, who moved to Spruce Grove, Alta.
Meanwhlie, Debra Kahl also transplanted from B.C. to Alberta and has settled in Edmonton.
"It sucked. I left all my friends, all my family, behind except for my one son that came with me," she told CTV News on Thursday.
However, both women say they have no regrets on their choice to leave.
"People need to be able to afford to live," said Blanchard.
Alberta continues to advertise for potential migrants.
"Every jurisdiction is trying to do this, not only in Canada or in North America," said Rajan Sawhney, Alberta’s Minister of Trade, Immigration and Multiculturalism.
"It's a global phenomenon now because we have a labour shortage," she said.
Calgary, Alta., is shown. (File Photo)Some B.C. residents have named housing as one of their main frustrations, and that moving to Alberta has meant more money in the bank.
"Who wants their kids to look after them when they're old, right?" said Blanchard.
In Edmonton, Kahl estimates that the home she's has now would rent for about $4,000 a month in the Victoria and Vancouver areas.
Downtown Victoria is shown in this file photo. (CTV News)A recent rental market analysis from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation shows housing availability has improved in Greater Victoria. But vacancy rates suggest it's still easier to find a place in Calgary, and that it will likely cost you less.
"I think it is an evidence to reiterate the fact that we need more supply in the rental market in B.C., in Vancouver and also in Greater Victoria," said Pershing Sun, senior analyst with CMHC.
If you do leave the West Coast for Alberta, you may find there are some trade-offs.
"The produce is not as fresh," said Blanchard.
"The utilities, which was misleading, are horrendous," said Kahl.
While the number of people leaving from B.C. to Alberta has reached a 20-year high, the number of people moving from Alberta to B.C. remains higher, with 29,413 people moving from Alberta to B.C. last year.
However, those who have felt pushed out of B.C. hope policymakers are listening.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.