Canadians leaving in record numbers while Quebec's emigration lags behind population share
New data shows 111,572 people emigrated from Canada in 2025, with Ontario accounting for 46 percent of departures despite having just 39 percent of the population.
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Canada saw record emigration in 2025, with 111,572 people leaving the country—up from 109,535 in 2024 and 51,040 in the first half of 2026. But Quebec's emigration pattern stands out: Quebecers are leaving at roughly half the rate expected based on the province's share of Canada's population.
Ontario led emigrations across the period, accounting for 46 percent of all departures from 2023 to 2025 despite representing about 39 percent of Canada's population. In 2025 alone, Ontario saw nearly 51,000 emigrations. British Columbia, with about 14 percent of Canada's population, accounted for over 21 percent of annual emigrations, with 24,184 people leaving in 2025. Alberta, roughly 12 percent of the population, saw close to 14,000 emigrations annually since 2023.
Quebec, nearly 22 percent of Canada's population, contributed about 12.7 percent of national emigrations annually from 2023 onward. In 2025, 14,239 people emigrated from Quebec; in the first half of 2026, the figure was 12.3 percent of national emigrations. The source material suggests housing and everyday costs in Montreal and Quebec City are cheaper than Toronto or Vancouver, and language and cultural ties may keep Quebecers from emigrating, though these factors are not confirmed by separate analysis in the material.
What specific pulls or pushes are driving Ontario and British Columbia emigration at rates above their population share?
Has the Quebec government tracked reasons Quebecers stay at higher rates than other provinces?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
By the numbers
How many people emigrated from Canada in 2025?
111,572 people emigrated from Canada in 2025, up from 109,535 in 2024.
What share of Canadian emigrations came from Ontario in 2025?
Ontario accounted for 46 percent of all departures from 2023 to 2025 and saw nearly 51,000 emigrations in 2025 alone, despite representing about 39 percent of Canada's population.
How did Quebec's emigration rate compare to its population share?
Quebec, representing nearly 22 percent of Canada's population, contributed about 12.7 percent of national emigrations annually from 2023 onward, leaving at roughly half the rate expected based on its population share.
How many people emigrated from British Columbia in 2025?
24,184 people emigrated from British Columbia in 2025, representing over 21 percent of annual emigrations despite the province accounting for about 14 percent of Canada's population.
