The Great Canadian Migration

Something unprecedented is happening in Canada: young professionals are abandoning Toronto and Vancouver in record numbers, heading east to Alberta. The driving force is simple math โ€” you can buy a house in Calgary or Edmonton for the price of a Toronto condo down payment.

The Numbers Tell the Story

Alberta saw net migration of over 100,000 Canadians in 2025, the highest in decades. The majority are millennials and Gen Z from Ontario and BC, drawn by median home prices under $500,000 compared to $1.1 million in Toronto. When a starter home costs less than your annual salary in some professions, the choice becomes obvious.

But it is not just about housing. Alberta also offers higher average wages, lower taxes, and abundant jobs in tech, energy, and healthcare. The province has aggressively recruited skilled workers, offering incentives and streamlined licensing for professionals.

What About the Downsides

Critics point to Albertas boom-and-bust economy tied to oil prices, its conservative politics, and harsh winters. But for many young Canadians, those trade-offs are worth making when the alternative is permanent renting in Vancouver or Toronto.

The social cost is significant too โ€” friends and families are being separated as people scatter across the country in search of affordability. Community ties that took years to build are being severed by economic necessity.

The New Normal

This migration is reshaping Canada. Alberta is becoming younger and more diverse. Ontario and BC are facing labor shortages. The question is whether this trend continues or whether affordability improves enough to slow the exodus. For now, the pipeline from Toronto to Calgary is flowing steadily.