Canadians just made the largest migration across provinces in 3 years. Statistics Canada (StatCan) data shows 116,832 residents in Q2 2026 made an interprovincial migration, the most since 2023. The numbers reveal Alberta continues to be the top spot in the country for people looking for a new province. Meanwhile in Ontario, the mass exodus continues as residents seek better opportunities.
Alberta and BC Continue To Attract Canadians, Ontario Not So Much
Canadian interprovincial migration by province: the balance of residents that left for another province and those who arrived, Q2 2026.
Source: StatCan; Better Dwelling.
Canadians continue to flock to Alberta, with the biggest net positive inflow in the country. The province managed to score 5,893 more residents from other provinces than it lost in Q2. It was followed by British Columbia (B.C.) with a net gain of 2,756 in the quarter. In a distant third place was Nova Scotia with a net gain of 963 residents from other provinces.
Ontario continues to hemorrhage residents with a net loss of 7,063 residents in Q2. It was followed by Manitoba (-1,847) and Quebec (-1,233). The agency’s numbers don’t tell us why or who exactly is moving in this flow, but the rapid climb in housing costs in these provinces is likely a contributor. However, B.C.’s wins are a kink in that narrative.
Alberta Leads As Top Destination From Other Provinces By A Wide Margin, Ontario’s Problems Look Structural
Canadian interprovincial migration by province: the balance of residents that left for another province and those who arrived, rolling 12-month sum Q2 2026.
Source: StatCan; Better Dwelling.
Over the past year, Alberta has taken the crown as the undisputed top destination for Canadians. The province saw a net gain of 26,376 residents from other provinces, as it focuses on fostering domestic talent. In a distant second is Nova Scotia (+7,315), which has been punching above its weight in recent years. However, its net gain in Q2 2026 was roughly 47.2% lower than last year, pointing to a sharp deceleration as outflows rise and inflows slow. New Brunswick (+5,121) rounds out the top 3 for the largest net gains over the 12-month period.
Ontario remains the undisputed champion when it comes to losses, with a net loss of 29,713 residents to other provinces. The problem is starting to look structural, as it prioritizes immigration-based growth instead of domestic retention. For context, that loss is more than 3x the net outflows in Quebec (-8,058) and 9x that of Manitoba (-3,175) over the same period. That’s not a quarterly blip, it should be considered a hair-on-fire problem.
These losses aren’t just a shuffle, these are residents familiar with what a province has to offer—or not. It’s a window into the state of the region and the opportunities it presents. Policymakers are unlikely to notice the losses over the short-term, as immigration more than covers the headline outflows. But it’s not as easy as it may seem to fill the talent gap over the medium term—or retain the highest quality immigrants, who are also likely to flow where the opportunity is presented.
I think Alberta’s economy and quality of life will continue to be attractive to people. But I’m not sure if the province can sustain this trend. The number of people leaving Ontario is still quite high, and I’m not sure if it’s just a temporary migration or if people are actually going somewhere else for good.
I don’t think you’re being overly optimistic about the situation in Ontario. The issue isn’t just about immigration, but also about the quality of life, cost of living, and job opportunities for its residents. The province’s high housing costs, lack of job opportunities, and poor quality of life are likely driving many of its residents to leave.
I was expecting to see the impact of the recent layoffs at large corporations in Ontario, but there is no mention of it in this article.
Finally someone said what I’ve been thinking for months. My rent just went up another 20% (YES, 20%!) so living in Ontario isn’t even an option anymore unless you hate your current life completely. I know Alberta looks great on paper with the cheap housing and jobs, but is it really going to be that friendly towards techies who actually want to stay? Excited to give Nova Scotia a shot, but from the sounds of it I’m probably going to be encountering more people from Toronto than nova scotia.
It’s nice seeing more people choose places that actually care about their workforce instead of just pouring money into fancy buildings. Move from Ontario to BC over 10 years ago and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.