Ontario residents aren’t just fleeing to other provinces in record numbers—the province is driving them abroad. Statistics Canada (StatCan) data shows nearly half of the record outflow of Canadians was from Ontario in Q1 2026. That’s on top of the record departure of non-permanent residents from the province.
Canadians Are Leaving Ontario To Move Abroad In Record Volumes
Canadian emigration from Ontario.
Source: StatCan; Better Dwelling.
Emigration—when a Canadian citizen or permanent resident permanently relocates to another country—is reaching historic levels. There were 14.53K emigrants in Q1 2026, up 0.94% from last year. The volume for Q1 outflows has climbed 81.7% in the past 5 years, and has more than doubled in the past 10 years (+107.1%). Needless to say, Ontario has never seen such a mad dash to leave.
Made In Ontario: Canada’s Record Flight
Canadian emigration from Ontario, 12-month rolling sum.
Source: StatCan; Better Dwelling.
This isn’t a one-off anomaly, but a persistent trend. In the 12 months ending in Q1 2026, there were 56.4K emigrants, up 1.4% from last year, and the highest on record. To put this volume in perspective, that 12-month volume is roughly equivalent to the population of Innisfil.
The exodus doesn’t stop there.
Ontario Is Also Seeing A Record Outflow of Temporary Residents
Canada’s net flow of non-permanent residents in Ontario.
Source: StatCan; Better Dwelling.
There are so many groups of people leaving Ontario that it’s easy to conflate them. Emigrants aren’t impacted by Canada’s immigration changes. The recent policy shifts explicitly impact non-permanent residents (NPRs), meaning those outflows are on top of emigration.
Canada saw a net outflow of 83.2K NPRs from Ontario in Q1 2026, 7.4% more than last year. This is a record outflow for the quarter. Net outflows in Ontario have been extremely rare, with only four reported in the past 30 years. Unsurprisingly, these outflows have historically only followed major real estate downturns. The elevated unemployment and high home prices produce that irresistible urge to find somewhere else to live.
It’s not just the high housing costs. The cost of living has gone through the roof since the start of the Covid pandemic. The government needs an inquiry into the actions of the large grocery conglomerates and restitution for the profiteering which has (obviously) transpired.
The large chains are surprisingly expensive compared to Fresh (similar to Food Basics in Ontario) and ethnic stores. I wondered what is going on with the large chains as well. Could it be the cost of real estate? Interest rates? Perhaps they are trying to recoup the cost of the pandemic measures .. huge plastic screens to block a 12 Angstrom respiratory virus, OMG .. what a scam! I am a Biochemist and Microbiologist from years ago so I am allowed to roll my eyes and call it a scam.
People who move abroad are seeing other countries through rose coloured glasses. I tried living in Panama for 2 years. A lot of people living abroad return home after they see the reality – not as nice as it seems. Why do you think immigrants to Canada form ghettos? Why did Chinese immigrants form Chinatowns? It’s a lot harder to integrate into a foreign culture than you think. It’s hard being a member of a visible minority and one where natives think you are wealthy and a target.
Where are they emigrating to? Asking for a friend ..
Many are Indians who are either moving to US or back to India.