Relocation Guide – Part 1
Why do people leave one Canadian province for another? Is it for better employment, more affordable housing, or the opportunity to build a different life?
For most families, relocation involves a combination of factors, and the reasons often change with their stage of life.
My own journey took me from Saigon, Vietnam, to Prince Edward Island (PEI), then Vancouver, and eventually Calgary. Each move was driven by different priorities, opportunities, and family circumstances.
Through these experiences, I've learned that moving is rarely just about finding a new house or changing jobs. It's about choosing an environment where a family can build its future.
So what motivates people to relocate, and what can Canada's migration statistics tell us?
1. Five common reasons people move between provinces
1. Employment and career opportunities
People often relocate for a new job, better earning potential, or greater career opportunities. Some move to larger employment markets, while others follow opportunities in smaller cities where their skills are in demand.
Employment prospects are frequently an important consideration, particularly when a household depends on one or two incomes.
2. Housing affordability and financial priorities
Housing costs can influence where families choose to live, especially when comparing expensive markets such as Vancouver and Toronto with more affordable alternatives.
For some, relocating creates an opportunity to purchase a home, reduce housing expenses, or improve their financial flexibility.
However, the overall financial benefit depends on income and other living expenses—not housing prices alone.
3. Children, education, and family connections
Family priorities can become increasingly important as circumstances change.
Some households relocate for their children's education, to support a family member, or to live closer to relatives and an established community.
For families with children, the decision also involves balancing new opportunities with the importance of stability, friendships, and familiar surroundings.
4. Lifestyle and quality of life
Not everyone measures quality of life the same way.
Some people prefer the opportunities and amenities of major cities, while others value quieter communities, access to nature, or a different pace of life.
Climate, commuting, community connections, and personal preferences can all influence where people feel most at home.
5. Immigration and settlement opportunities
For newcomers to Canada, the initial choice of province may also be influenced by immigration pathways and local employment opportunities.
Provincial immigration programs have specific eligibility requirements, and applicants should understand any applicable conditions, including their intention to reside in the nominating province.
Immigration opportunities may help determine where someone begins their Canadian journey, while long-term settlement decisions involve additional family and lifestyle considerations.
2. Where are Canadians moving? What the latest statistics show
According to Statistics Canada, interprovincial migration continues to shape population changes across the country.
During the period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, the following movements were recorded across Canada's ten provinces.
Interprovincial migration by province, 2025–2026
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 17-10-0021-01, September 2026 release. The 2025–2026 figures are preliminary estimates. Net migration represents arrivals minus departures, not total population growth.
Three findings stand out:
Alberta recorded the largest net gain, adding 21,662 residents through interprovincial migration.
British Columbia also experienced a net gain, with 6,928 more people arriving than leaving.
Ontario recorded the largest net loss, with 18,015 more people departing than arriving.
These figures show where population movement is occurring, but they do not establish the motivations behind individual relocation decisions.
3. Alberta's migration story: Looking beyond the net gain
Alberta's positive migration numbers have attracted considerable attention, but the arrivals and departures reveal a more complete picture.
In 2025–2026, 71,496 people moved to Alberta, while 49,834 moved away.
In other words, Alberta was gaining residents overall, but there was also substantial movement out of the province.
This distinction matters.
A positive migration balance suggests that more people chose to move to Alberta than leave it during that period. It does not tell us whether those who arrived found better jobs, improved their finances, or preferred their new lifestyle.
Nor does it explain why others decided to leave.
For families researching a move, migration trends can help identify destinations worth exploring. Understanding whether those destinations are suitable requires looking beyond the population figures.
4. Calgary and Edmonton: Two important destinations
Alberta's two largest metropolitan areas have also attracted residents from other provinces.
According to Statistics Canada's 2024–2025 metropolitan-area population estimates:
Calgary: Net interprovincial migration gain of 11,195 people.
Edmonton: Net interprovincial migration gain of 11,742 people.
These metropolitan figures relate to an earlier reporting period than the provincial statistics above and should not be treated as a breakdown of Alberta's 2025–2026 total.
Both cities are important destinations for people considering Alberta, but they offer different housing markets, employment opportunities, transportation options, and lifestyles.
In a separate Calgary-focused series, I'll explore what families should know about living in Calgary, including its advantages, challenges, and practical considerations.
5. Clara's Perspective: Choosing the right place for your family
Having relocated from PEI to Vancouver and eventually Calgary, I've experienced firsthand how different life can be across Canadian cities.
Each move brought opportunities, but also adjustments and challenges that weren't always obvious beforehand.
One important lesson I've learned is that a city that suits your family today may not necessarily be the right fit five or ten years from now. Priorities change as careers develop, children grow, and financial circumstances evolve.
Before making a move, I believe families should consider the bigger picture: employment prospects, household finances, children's education, community connections, and long-term stability.
As a Calgary REALTOR® and licensed Property Manager, I bring both professional housing knowledge and personal relocation experience to these discussions.
My goal in sharing this series isn't to convince families that Calgary—or any other city—is the best place to live. It's to help them understand the factors that matter so they can make decisions based on their own circumstances.
The right place to live isn't necessarily where everyone else is moving. It's where your family has the best opportunity to build the life you want.
6. Next in the Series: How to Choose the Right Canadian City
Understanding why people move and where migration is happening is a useful starting point. The next question is how to determine which destination actually suits your family.
In Part 2, we'll explore a practical city-comparison checklist covering employment, household finances, housing, provincial taxes, schools, transportation, healthcare, and lifestyle.
Next article: How to Choose the Right Canadian City Before Relocating — A Practical Checklist for Families.
Sources and references
Statistics Canada. Table 17-10-0021-01: Estimates of the components of interprovincial migration, annual. September 2026 release.
Statistics Canada. Population estimates: Subprovincial areas, 2025. January 2026 release.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Provincial Nominee Program.
Disclaimer: This article combines publicly available statistics with personal experience and professional observations. Migration data describes population movements, not the reasons or outcomes of individual household decisions. Individual housing, employment, and immigration circumstances should be assessed using current applicable information.
Clara Nguyen
REALTOR® | Licensed Property Manager
CIR Realty - 778 836 2495
claranguyen-homes.ca
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