Alberta continues to lead population growth in Canada, with over 9,000 newcomers from other parts of the country in the fourth quarter of 2023 alone. This influx has pushed annual interprovincial migration to over 55,000, marking the largest gain in interprovincial migration nationally since 1972.
While the majority of migrants in 2023 were from Ontario, the most significant interprovincial migration in the final quarter was between British Columbia and Alberta, with many B.C. residents relocating to Alberta. This trend contrasts with B.C.’s first negative interprovincial migration since 2012.
Calgary economist Trevor Tombe attributes this growth to abundant economic opportunities in Alberta, while acknowledging affordability challenges in cities like Vancouver and Toronto.
Despite the province’s growth, concerns have arisen regarding its capacity to accommodate newcomers, particularly in terms of housing and infrastructure. The Alberta government’s vision to increase the province’s population to 10 million by 2050 has raised questions about its ability to manage growth sustainably.
Frano Cavar of the Calgary Construction Association highlights the need to strike a balance between immigration-driven labor demands and infrastructure capacity. However, the province’s ability to meet housing demands remains a challenge, with only 35,223 housing units added in 2023, contributing to a surge in rental prices and a decrease in vacancy rates.
As Alberta grapples with housing affordability issues and infrastructure strain, finding a sustainable balance between immigration and infrastructure development remains a pressing concern for policymakers.