indicatorThe Twenty-Four

Alberta losing residents to BC

Alberta lost the most residents in the second quarter to British Columbia (-6,985) followed by Nova Scotia (-839)

By Rob Roach, ATB Economics 29 September 2021 1 min read

Alberta has lost residents to other parts of the country for the fifth quarter in a row.

About 77,000 people came to Alberta from other provinces and territories between April 2020 and June 2021 while almost 93,000 left, for a net loss of 16,000 residents.

The second quarter of 2021 saw a net outflow of 5,447, the largest loss since 2016.


Seven provinces and territories lost residents to other parts of the country in the second quarter with Ontario down the most (-11,857) and British Columbia up the most (+15,290).

On a net basis, Alberta lost the most residents in the second quarter to British Columbia (-6,985) followed by Nova Scotia (-839).

Alberta gained the most residents in the second quarter from Manitoba (1,126) followed by Saskatchewan (+1,043).

While there are many reasons Canadians move around the country, British Columbia’s relatively strong economic performance during the pandemic helps explain the net outflow from Alberta to its western neighbour.

Answer to the previous trivia question: Hurricane Ida made landfall on the 16th anniversary of the landfall of Hurricane Katrina (August 29, 2005).

Today’s trivia question: In what year did the Truth and Reconciliation Commission release its final report and the 94 calls to action to further reconciliation between Canadians and Indigenous peoples?

The second quarter of 2021 saw a net outflow of 5,447 residents from Alberta to other parts of Canada

The second quarter of 2021 saw a net outflow of 5,447 residents from Alberta to other parts of Canada


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