In-Migration from British Columbia & Saskatchewan to Alberta (1977 to 2017)
- April 17, 2018
- By Cody Battershill
Migration to Alberta from BC and Saskatchewan?
The feuds that have occurred as of late between British Columbia and its two eastern neighbours – Alberta and Saskatchewan – have been the centre of attention of media across the country.
First it was the opposition to the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion, then came the wine ban from Alberta (which was reversed), and now, new legislation from the governments of both Alberta and Saskatchewan to potentially restrict the flow of petroleum to British Columbia.
Thankfully, this disastrous scenario between provinces of whom should be acting more like loving family members rather than estranged ex hubbies doesn’t reflect migration patterns throughout the years.
Alberta, Canada's population powerhouse, has seen a healthy flow of migration between it and its two neighbours. While the economic downturn in Alberta saw record-high unemployment rates and people fleeing the province in droves as a result, today migration rates are again are turning positive alongside a recovering economy.
Saskatchewan to Alberta
Over the last four years, approximately 9,300 people have packed their bags and headed for Alberta – permanently. Learn about the most recent interprovincial migration rates here.
Save a few years in the 1980s and in the late 2000s, there’s always been a healthy flow of in-migration from Saskatchewan to Alberta between 1977 and 2017. This stayed true despite the recession between 2015 and 2016 when both provinces had shrinking economies.
British Columbia to Alberta
The net migration patterns from British Columbia to Alberta has been quite a different story. Only for a few years during the 80s did Alberta see positive in-migration, with many people leaving to its western neighbour during the late 1980s and 1990s. However, many made the return to Alberta in the 2000s.
During the recession of 2015 and 2016, British Columbia had the lowest unemployment rate and strongest economy in Canada. Many Albertans saw an opportunity in the mountainous province and left. But by the second half of 2017 – with Alberta’s economy gradually improving and British Columbia’s slowing – migration rates returned to a healthy balance between the two neighbours.
Population & Migration in Alberta
