Statistics Canada reported on June 19, 2024 that Alberta had a net gain of 12,482 people from other provinces and territories in the first quarter of 2024. Only Alberta, New Brunswick and Yukon had net gains.
Moves to and from Alberta, Q1 2024
The details
- It was Alberta’s 11th straight quarter of net interprovincial gains, after losses in 19 of 24 quarters from mid-2015 to mid-2021.
- The largest sources were Ontario (9,398 in-migrants) and British Columbia (9,218).
- People leaving Alberta mostly went to British Columbia (5,744) and Ontario (3,893).
- Nationally, interprovincial migration slowed to 89,408 migrants, from 97,917 a year earlier.
- Canada’s population passed 41 million, reaching 41,012,563 on April 1, 2024, with growth of 242,673, or 0.6%, in the quarter.
Why it matters for Calgary housing
Many people moving from Ontario and B.C. sell in more expensive markets and buy in Calgary and nearby towns, which supports demand for detached homes. Interprovincial migration is still strong, but slower than in 2023, one of the signals to watch for how long the sellers’ market lasts.
Alberta grew faster than the country
Alberta’s population reached 4,849,906 on April 1, 2024, an increase of 1.0% in a single quarter, compared with 0.6% for Canada as a whole. Interprovincial moves are only part of that growth; international immigration and non-permanent residents also add many people. Nationally, Statistics Canada said Canada welcomed 121,758 immigrants in the first quarter of 2024.
Compared with last year
The pace of moves between provinces has cooled a little. Across Canada, 89,408 people moved between provinces in the first quarter, 8.7% fewer than the 97,917 a year earlier. For context, in the 12 months from July 1, 2022 to July 1, 2023, Alberta gained a net 56,245 people from other provinces, the highest annual net interprovincial gain ever recorded for any province since comparable data began in 1971/1972, and its population grew 4.0%, the fastest in the country. The first quarter of 2024 shows that the flow is still strong, though it has eased from that record.
Where the newcomers come from
Ontario and British Columbia are the main sources. Ontario had the largest net loss of people to other provinces for the 10th quarter in a row, at 9,020. Alberta is the main winner from those moves. New Brunswick (+1,627) and Yukon (+60) were the only other places with net gains.
What it means for Calgary buyers and sellers
Calgary’s resale market shows the effect. CREB reported 3,092 sales in May 2024, 34% above long-term trends, and inventory at nearly half the usual level. Newcomers need homes to rent or buy as soon as they arrive, which keeps pressure on supply, especially for more affordable homes. A slower pace of migration could be one of the first signs of more balanced conditions, but for now the numbers still point to strong demand.
Practical takeaways
- Buyers moving from Ontario or B.C.: get pre-approved before you arrive and consider renting short term while you learn the neighbourhoods.
- Local sellers: out-of-province buyers often shop online first, so quality photos and complete listing details matter.
- Investors: population growth supports rental demand, but watch new rental construction, which is also rising.
What to watch next
Statistics Canada noted that much of the recent growth in temporary immigration happened before Ottawa announced caps on permits for non-permanent residents in 2024. If those caps slow international arrivals, interprovincial moves will become an even bigger part of Alberta’s growth story. For Calgary housing, the key signals in the next few quarters are whether the net gain from other provinces stays above 10,000 people per quarter and whether new construction starts to catch up with that demand.
