Canadians emigrating at fastest rate in over a decade, Quebec included

Canada is experiencing its highest emigration in over a decade. According to liv.rent's 2026 Canada Rental Market Trend Report, using Statistics Canada data, 95,733 Canadians emigrated in the first three quarters of 2025 — up 17 percent from 2024.

Ontario accounted for nearly half of all departures, with 44,758 people leaving the province. That's a new record for Ontario emigration, though Ontario represents only 39 percent of Canada's population — meaning residents are leaving at a disproportionately high rate.

Quebec saw 12,691 people emigrate, a 21 percent year-over-year increase and the highest level since 2017. Yet the province is simultaneously attracting immigrants: immigration numbers held steady, declining just 0.4 percent year-over-year while most other provinces saw double-digit drops. Quebec even overtook British Columbia and Alberta to become the second-largest immigration destination in Canada, behind Ontario.

Cost of living pressures, tighter federal policies affecting temporary residents and international students, and economic cooling are cited as factors. For Montreal renters, emigration hasn't yet translated to falling rents — average one-bedroom rents edged up 2 percent to $1,693 year-over-year. But liv.rent flags early signs of a potential reversal as departures accelerated through the second half of the year.