Interprovincial migration is again adding to BC's population

In the first quarter of 2014, BC saw 1,300 more people move into the province from other parts of Canada than leave to settle in other provinces. This marks the first time in nearly three years that BC has experienced positive net in-migration from other provinces. The shift from a net loss to a net gain is a positive sign because changes in interprovincial migration are driven largely by working-aged people. A net inflow means there will be more workers available in the BC labour market and also suggests job opportunities are becoming more plentiful – relative to other provinces and in particular Alberta – than was the case over the past couple of years.

On a net basis (inflow less outflow), in Q1 BC gained people from all provinces except Alberta and Newfoundland. There was still a net outflow of 789 who moved to Alberta in the first quarter of 2014, but this is down sharply from net outflows of around 2,500 in the first quarters of both 2012 and 2013.