Canadians are leaving the country in droves and one province is leading the exit

More Canadians left the country last year than in any other year since the '60s — and one province stood out above the rest. The trend has been building over the past few years, but 2024 took emigration from Canada to a whole new level.

According to the latest data from Statistics Canada, 106,134 people left the country in 2024, marking a 3% increase from 2023 and the highest number of departures in nearly six decades. The last (and only) time we saw numbers higher than this was way back in 1967.

At the same time, immigration to Canada hit a new record, with 483,591 people arriving last year — making it the biggest year for newcomers to Canada in recorded history.

But it's not just the totals that are raising eyebrows — the breakdown of where people are coming from and going to also reveals some notable trends.

Ontario leads Canada's exodus, accounting for nearly half (48%) of the country's total emigrants. That's despite the province only making up 39% of the total population, so while its relative size could have something to do with it, it doesn't tell the full story.

That means nearly 51,000 Ontarians packed their bags last year — more than all of Quebec, B.C. and Alberta combined.

Meanwhile, B.C. had the second-highest number of departures at just under 20,000 — a surprisingly high figure given that Quebec, which has nearly twice the population, only saw around 13,500 people leave.

When it comes to people leaving Ontario, they aren't just leaving the country — Ontario also saw the worst net loss in interprovincial migration, with 23,585 more people moving away to other provinces than arriving from them.

That aligns with broader trends we've seen in recent years — Canadians moving west in search of better affordability, job opportunities or just a different lifestyle.

On the flip side, Alberta was the biggest winner in interprovincial migration, welcoming nearly 91,000 people from across Canada while only losing about 55,000 — for a net gain of around 36,000.

Some provinces, like Quebec, are showing signs of holding onto residents more effectively. Interprovincial migration numbers to and from Canada's second-most-populous province were relatively low in 2024, as were its immigration and emigration numbers.

Despite Quebec making up around 22% of Canada's population, it only contributed 12.7% of the country's emigrants in 2024. That's far below what you'd expect proportionally — suggesting Quebecers may be more likely to stay put compared to other regions.

With housing costs, inflation and affordability still major concerns for many Canadians, it's not hard to see why some are seeking new opportunities abroad or in other parts of the country. Whether it's for better weather, cheaper rent or a fresh start, 2024 was clearly a year of big moves.

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